1.1 Verbs: talking about what you do
If you know what a verb is, go on to 1.1.1.
You use a verb to talk about what someone or something does, is doing, has done or intends to do, or what someone is being, has been or intends to be. A verb can be called a ‘doing’ or ‘being’ word.
To find out if a word is a verb, ask yourself if someone could do it.
I Which of these words are things you can ‘do’?
a walk
b trainers
c shout
d invent
e loud
f i-pad
g behind
h red
i listen
j before
Some words can be used as verbs and as nouns or adjectives, e.g. drink can be a drink in a cup or part of the verb to drink.
Ask: Are they doing it? If they are, it is a verb.
II Which of the highlighted words are being used as verbs?
a Jack and Jill are to appear in a play at the local theatre.
b They will play the leading parts.
c They work during the day in an office.
d After work they go to rehearsals.
e Tonight they are having a meeting to discuss the production.
f They are meeting in the theatre bar.
g They need to discuss finances.
h A local sponsor usually finances the productions.
i The producer reports that this time there will be no sponsorship.
j According to newspaper reports the sponsors have gone bankrupt.
1.1.1 What is the infinitive?
If you know what the infinitive is, go on to 1.1.2.
When you look up a verb in a dictionary, you will find the infinitive form of it listed first. This is the ‘name’ of the verb.
In English, the infinitive consists of to 1 verb, e.g. to eat, to build, to paint. Sometimes an English infinitive is used without ‘to’.
The infinitive is often used in Spanish to give commands, for example on public notices, especially when telling people not to do something:
| Abrir con cuidado. | Open carefully. |
| ¡No pisar la hierba! | Don’t walk on the grass! |
Below are some Spanish infinitives. You probably know some of them already or can guess what they mean.
Try to look for similarities between the Spanish...
