Which of the following is a verb?

Appeared in: RML MAINS 2025

Explanation

'Taught' is a verb; it is the past tense and past participle of the verb 'to teach'.
Verbs are words that express an action, occurrence, or state of being, as defined in linguistics.
'Taught' specifically describes the action of instructing or imparting knowledge, making it a clear example of a verb.

Option A: 'Sweet' is an adjective, a word that describes a noun's quality, taste, or characteristic.
Option B: 'Book' is primarily a noun that refers to a written or printed work.
Option D: 'Chair' is primarily a noun that refers to a piece of furniture.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identifying Parts of Speech: Verbs as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Clear communication is vital in nursing. Understanding basic grammar helps in writing accurate and unambiguous patient notes, reports, and instructions.
Using the correct part of speech prevents misinterpretation. For example, documenting 'patient taught about medication' describes a clear action, whereas 'patient sweet' is a vague and unprofessional description of a patient's disposition.
What if? If a nurse wrote 'Patient book for surgery' instead of 'Patient is booked for surgery,' it creates confusion. The first is grammatically incorrect and unclear, while the second is a clear, passive-voice statement indicating a completed action.

How to Approach the Question

First, read the question carefully to understand what it is asking. The question requires you to identify a 'verb'.
Recall the definition of a verb: a word that describes an action (e.g., run, jump), an occurrence (e.g., happen), or a state of being (e.g., is, feel).
Evaluate each option to determine its primary part of speech.
'Sweet' describes a quality, so it is an adjective.
'Book' and 'Chair' are names of objects, making them nouns.
'Taught' is the past tense of 'teach,' which is an action. This fits the definition of a verb.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QGEcqDBzkS58YjdZccEx0h

E6 Psychology Morgan King 9e Part 1 p. 268-270

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 371-373

Practise the full RML MAINS 2025

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.