In the formation of language, mankind, in order to hold converse with
each other, found it necessary, in the first place, to give _names_ to
the various objects by which they were surrounded. Hence the origin of
the first part of speech, which we denominate the _noun_. But merely to
name the objects which they beheld or thought of, was not sufficient for
their purpose. They perceived that these objects existed, moved, acted,
or caused some action to be done. In looking at a man, for instance,
they perceived that he lived, walked, ate, smiled, talked, ran, and so
on. They perceived that plants grow, flowers bloom, and rivers flow.
Hence the necessity of another part of speech, whose office it should be
to express these existences and actions. This second class of words we
call

VERBS.

A verb is a word which signifies to BE, to DO, or to SUFFER; as, I _am_;
I _rule_; I _am ruled_.

Verbs are of three kinds, active, passive, and neuter. They are also
divided into regular, irregular, and defective.

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.