Verbs in French can be used alone or be followed by an object, a complement, a subordinate phrase or another verb.

Here is an example of a verb used alone:
Je lis.

Here is an example of a verb followed by an object:
Je fais de la natation.

Here is an example of a verb followed by a complement:
Je suis mariée.

Here is an example of a verb followed by a subordinate phrase:
Je pense que l’espagnol est plus facile.

And here is an example of a verb followed by another verb:
Je ne voulais pas manger.

Now, a verb that stands alone is called an intransitive verb meaning that it does not have an object.   (Intransitive verb = No object)

Here are some examples:
Le soleil brillait. (Subject + Verb)
Ne pars pas! (only a Verb since it’s a command/imperative)

Remember, a verb can also be followed by an object which means it would be called a transitive verb. (Transitive verb = Object)
This can be a direct object meaning that the action happens directly to the object without any preposition in the middle.  Ex:
Je prends mon temps. (Subject + Verb + Direct Object)
J’aime les biscuits et le chocolat. (Subject + Verb + Direct Object)

It could also be an indirect object meaning that the action happens indirectly to the object with a preposition in the middle (à or de). Ex:
J’ai parlé à mon mari. (Subject + Verb + Indirect Object)
Je m’occupe de mes enfants. (Subject + Verb + Indirect Object)

And as I said a verb can be followed by a complement for example an adjective, noun or a past participle used as an adjective.
These are some of the verbs that are followed in this way:

être, avoir l’air, devenir, mourir, naître, paraître, sembler, rester, tomber, vivre, etc.

Examples:
Mes yeux sont bleus. (Subject + Verb + Adjective)
Je suis maman. (Subject + Verb + Noun)
Elle est devenue guérie. (Subject + Verb + Past Participle)

I also mentioned how a verb can be followed by another verb, right?

When you use one of these verbs – aimer, entendre, oser, sembler, aller, espérer, penser, souhaiter, désirer, faire, préférer, valoir, détester, faillir, pouvoir, voir, devoir, falloir, regarder, vouloir, écouter, laisser, savoir, etc. – the second verb phrase is usually an infinitive…
J’aime danser. (Subject + Verb + Infinitive)
Ma mère semblait ne pas savoir. (Subject + Verb + Infinitive)

..or you use the preposition à plus an infinitive for one of these verbs – s’amuser, s’habituer, tenir, arriver, hésiter, commencer, apprendre, se mettre, penser, chercher, parvenir, continuer, se décider, réussir, etc.
Ex:
J’apprends à parler bien. (Subject + Verb + Preposition + Infinitive)
Ma petite fille arrive à s’habiller toute seule. (Subject + Verb + Preposition + Infinitive)

…or the preposition de plus an infinitive for one of these verbs – accepter, arrêter, avoir besoin, avoir envie, avoir peur, cesser, choisir, commencer, continuer, craindre, décider, se dépêcher, essayer, éviter, faire exprès, finir, oublier, refuser, regretter, risquer, tâcher, tenter, etc.
Ex:
J’ai peur de ne pas savoir. (Subject + Verb + Preposition + Infinitive)
Arrête de faire des bêtises ! (Subject + Verb + Preposition + Infinitive)

And finally, I mentioned that a verb can be followed by a subordinate phrase.  Here are some examples:
J’ai dit que les verbes sont compliqués.
Je ne sais pas si mon mari a fait les courses.

There is much more such as verbs followed by two objects or by an object and an infinitive, but for now, these are some basic verb structures you can get started with.  Qu’est-ce que j’aime la grammaire!