[Vocabulary] verbs express/names/refer to actions?

[hhtt21]

I would like to practice the words "express", "name" and "refer to" with this example. Would you please help me with it?

Are these all correct?

1. A verb expresses an action.

2. A verb names an action.

3. A verb refer to an action.

Thank you.

 

[teechar]

#1 is grammatical, but note that not all verbs denote actions.
#2 is grammatical but unnatural.
#3 is ungrammatical. You need to use the third-person singular "s" (refers), just as you did in #1.

 

[jutfrank]

If you want precise academic language, the best word for this context is denote, as teechar suggests above.

Of the three you have, express is the only one that works, in my opinion.