名人教英文：verbs动词
of all the parts of speech in english grammar, verbs are the most complicated and are governed by many rules which must be followed to avoid making mistakes. the main rules are discussed in this article.
a. rules governing change of verb form 动词变化的规则
all verbs change in form under different circumstances. these are identified below:
（i）verbs change with the tenses used.
每个动词必须与其「动词之时」配合
e.g.‧i run frequently. 我经常跑步
‧i shall run next year. 明年我将会跑步
‧this time next month, i shall have run ten miles.
‧下个月这个时候，我已经会跑完十英里路了
（ii）verbs change with the singular or plural form of the subject. 每个动词必须与其名词的「单数或众数」配合
e.g.‧he sings by himself. 他一个人在唱歌（单数）
‧we sing together in unison. 我们齐齐唱（众数）
（iii）verbs change with the grammatical mood of the sentence.
每个动词要跟其「文法语气」更改
e.g.‧indicative mood︰直陈式语气
‧e.g. john came here yesterday.
‧imperative mood︰命令式语气
‧e.g. john, you come here this minute!
‧subjunctive mood︰假定式语气
‧e.g. john wishes he could go to see the movie.
（iv）verbs change with the active or passive voice used.
每个动词要跟其「主动施授」或「被动接受」格式更改
e.g.‧the active voice 主动的施授格式
‧e.g. john teaches me english.
‧passive voice 被动的接受格式
‧e.g. my english is taught by john.
b. different types of verbs
additionally, there are different types of verbs. each type has its own dedicated purpose and is governed by its own individual set of grammatical rules.
these types are︰
‧transitive / intransitive verbs
这种动词可以或不可以带有名词在后
‧linking verbs
certain verbs in english are called linking verbs. they are: seem, become, appear, and remain.
‧verbs-to-be
certain verbs in english are called verbs to-be. they are: be, is, am, are, etc.
‧auxiliary verbs
auxiliary verbs or modal auxiliary verbs are used with infinitives or bare infinitives. they are: must, can, should, would, will, ought, etc.
since each of the above verb-type is a big topic on its own with its own special rules, to avoid confusion, each type will be discussed separately in subsequent articles.
■passage of the week （all verbs are underlined and footnoted）
what is love?
爱是什么？
let's （1） start with a couple of lines from shakespeare's poem o mistress mine.
"what is （2） love? 'tis （3） not hereafter,
present mirth hath （4） present laughter."
from the above, it appears （5） the word "love" is （2） incapable of any precise definition. it means （6） different things to different people, based on the complexities of one's background, environment and personal preferences. after all, love seems to be coloured by （7） one's own feelings, preferences and choice. （8）
■footnotes 批注
1. let's = let us 让我们
the verb "let" is in the imperative mood.
2. is = verb-to-be 是
3. 'tis not = it's not 这不是
4. hath = "has" in old english
5. appears = a linking verb 看来似乎
6. means = simple present tense
7. seems to be coloured by = the linking verb "seems" is in the passive voice （linking verb + verb to be + past participle + preposition）
8. after all, love is coloured by one's own feelings, preferences and choice. 到头来，一个人的感情、爱好、情绪与选择会被矫饰为爱。
作者为前港英高官，移居澳洲多年，著作多元化，包括回忆录、小说、英语教学书、散文等。