The term verb is derived from the Latin word verbum, which signifies a word.  This part of speech is called a verb or word, because it is deemed the most important word in every sentence:  and without a verb and nominative, either expressed or implied, no sentence can exist.  The noun is the original and leading part of speech; the verb comes next in order, and is far more complex than the noun.  These two are the most useful in the language, and form the basis of the science of grammar.  The other eight parts of speech are subordinate to these two, and, as you will hereafter learn, of minor importance.

For all practical purposes, the foregoing definition and division of the verb, though, perhaps, not philosophically correct, will be found as convenient as any other.  I adopt them, therefore, to be consistent with the principle, that, in arranging the materials of this treatise, I shall not alter or reject any established definition, rule, or principle of grammar, unless, in my humble judgment, some practical advantage to the learner is thereby gained.  The following, some consider a good definition.

A VERB is a word which expresses affirmation.

An active verb expresses action; and

The nominative case is the actor, or subject of the verb; as, John writes.

In this example, which is the verb? You know it is the word writes, because this word signifies to do; that is, it expresses action, therefore, according to the definition, it is an active verb.  And you know, too, that the noun John is the actor, therefore John is in the nominative case to the verb writes.  In the expressions, The man walks—­The boy plays—­Thunders roll—–­ Warriors fight—­you perceive that the words walks, plays, roll, and fight, are active verbs; and you cannot be at a loss to know, that the nouns man, boy, thunders, and warriors, are in the nominative case.

As no action can be produced without some agent or moving cause, it follows, that every active verb must have some actor or agent.  This actor, doer, or producer of the action, is the nominative. Nominative, from the Latin nomino, literally signifies to name; but in the technical sense in which it is used in grammar, it means the noun or pronoun which is the subject of affirmation.  This subject or nominative may be active, passive, or neuter, as hereafter exemplified.

A neuter verb expresses neither action nor passion, but being, or a state of being; as, John sits.