The root verb is the verb in its original form, without any inflexion or change. The root form of the verb is used as the base form to create the other forms of the verb. Keep in mind that this is not the case with all verbs. The root form of the verb is modified when conjugated to represent other forms of the verb only for regular verbs. Irregular verbs have unique ways in which they are conjugated, and not all remain the same.

Root verbs are most often used to indicate the simple present tense. Let us take a look at the following examples of how the root verb is used in sentences.

Examples of Root Verbs:
I love watching movies with my friends. (Root verb – love)
I finish my homework before 6 p.m. everyday. (Root verb – finish)
You play really well. (Root verb – play)
You are beautiful. (Root verb – be)
In the above examples, the verbs ‘love’, ‘finish’, ‘play’ and ‘are’ are used in their original form, and so they are called root verbs.