All the words that assert action, being, or state of being, we call
+Verbs+.
Let the teacher write nouns on the board, and require the pupils to give all the words of which they can think, telling what the things named can do. They may be arranged thus:—
Noun. Verbs.
| grow,
| droop,
Plants + decay,
| flourish,
| revive.
Each pupil may give a verb that expresses an action of the body; as weep, sing; an action of the mind; as, study, love; one that expresses being or state of being.
+DEFINITION.—A Verb is a word that asserts action, being, or state of being+.
The office of the verb in all its forms, except two (the participle and the infinitive, see Lessons 48 and 49), is to +assert+. This it does whether the sentence affirms, denies, or asks a question.
+To the Teacher+.—In the exercises of this and the next two Lessons, let the pupils note the agreement of the verb with its subject. See Notes, pp. 163-165.
Supply, to each of the following nouns, as many appropriate verbs as you can think of.
Let some express being or state of being.
Water ——.
Wind ——.
Pens ——.
Parrots ——.
Vines ——.
Farmers ——.
Trees ——.
Ministers ——.