9th Grade

Verbs & Adjectives

A verb is a word that is used to express action or state of being.

A verb phrase consists of at least one main verb and one or more helping verbs.

A Helping verb helps the main verb express action or a state of being. Helping Verbs

can, could, did, do, does, had, has, have, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would

is leaving had seemed might have remained

She had always been thinking about her future.

Has my sister played her new CD yet?

The Verb

Fortunately, he didn’t need surgery.

His physical therapist has designed an exercise program for him.

Before exercise, he must spend at least five minutes warming up.

He will be using a back-extension machine.

Does he walk indoors on a treadmill or outdoors on a track?

At home, he will be exercising on a treadmill.

Identifying Main Verbs

and Helping Verbs

A linking verb connects the subject to a word or word group that identifies or describes the subject. The most commonly used linking verbs are forms of the verb be.

Take predicate nominatives be, being, am, is, shall be, will be, has

been, have been, should be, would be, can be, could be, are, was, were, had been, shall have been, will have been, should have been, would have been, could have been

An action verb expresses either physical or mental action.

Take direct objects Physical Action

write, describe, sit, receive, arise, go Mental Action

remember, consider, think, understand, believe, know

Action Verbs and Linking Verbs

The noun, pronoun, or adjective that is connected to the subject by a linking verb completes the meaning of the verb and refers to the verb’s subject.The answer is three. The answer was correct.

Many linking verbs can be used as action verbs as well (the 5 senses)The wet dog smelled

terrible.The motor sounded

harsh.

Linking Verbs

For verbs of the senses, try this technique to distinguish whether the verb is action or linking:Replace the verb in the

sentence with the linking verb seem.

If the sentence makes clear sense with the word seem as a substitute, then the verb is linking.

If the sentence makes no sense with the word seem as a substitute, then the verb is action.

Linking Verbs

State whether the verbs below are action or linking.

My mother tasted the cake before she served it to guests.

The milk we bought last week tasted spoiled.

The guard sounded the alarm.

Those P. Diddy songs sounded awesome.

Identifying Linking Verbs and the

Words They Link

An adjective is a word that is used to modify a noun or a pronoun. To modify means to describe

the word or to make its meaning more definite. An adjective modifies a noun or a pronoun by telling what kind, which one, or how many.

What Kind? gray skies, far-fetched tale,

lowest price Which One?

either way, next day, those girls

How Many? five fingers, one river, fewer

hours

The Adjective

Comparison of adjectives:

Positive = adjective as is

Comparative = add -er or more

Superlative = add -est or most

The Adjective

Helpful Hints:

When comparing only 2 things, use the comparative form of the adjective (add –er or more).

When comparing 3 or more things, use the superlative form of the adjective (add –est or most).

The Adjective

Although both Gabe and Evan are good runners, Evan is the more elusive.

Which of these ten photos is the most attractive?

Of the two thesis sentences, your first one is more effective.

Jessie, who has 4.35 speed, is the fastest of the six linebackers.

Both twins are fine athletes, but Nick is the slower swimmer.

The Adjective

An adjective usually comes before the noun or pronoun it modifies. Mr. Ybarra tells all students

that hard workers will be given special commendations.

A sweating, exhausted runner crossed the finish line.

In some cases, adjectives follow the word they modify. A dog, old and overweight,

snored in the sun.

Adjectives in Sentences