Kinds of VerbsKinds of Verbs

Action, Linking, and HelpingAction, Linking, and Helping

VerbsVerbs

As you know, every sentence has two As you know, every sentence has two parts, the subject and the predicate. parts, the subject and the predicate.

The key word in the predicate is the The key word in the predicate is the verb.verb.

The The verbverb tells what the subject of the tells what the subject of the sentence is, has, does, or feels. sentence is, has, does, or feels. Burt Burt worksworks at the park. at the park.He He trimstrims the trees. the trees.He He lovesloves his job. his job.He He paintspaints the benches. the benches.

Action VerbsAction Verbs

Most verbs are Most verbs are action verbsaction verbs. Some . Some action verbs refer to action verbs refer to physical action physical action that can be seen by other people. that can be seen by other people.

Others refer to Others refer to mental action mental action that that cannot be seen. cannot be seen. Physical Action: Physical Action: The gardener The gardener feedsfeeds the the

ducks. ducks. Mental Action: Mental Action: She She likeslikes the migrating the migrating

birds best. birds best.

Linking VerbsLinking Verbs

A verb that expresses a state of A verb that expresses a state of being often functions as a being often functions as a linking linking verbverb. .

A linking verb A linking verb linkslinks, or connects, the , or connects, the subject with a noun or an adjective in subject with a noun or an adjective in the predicate that names or the predicate that names or describes the subject. describes the subject. Peanut Peanut isis a toad. a toad.Peanut Peanut is is tiny. tiny.

The most common being verbs The most common being verbs are forms of are forms of bebe itself. itself.

AmAm isisAreAreWasWasWereWereBeBeBeingBeingbeenbeen

Identify each verb in the Identify each verb in the sentences below. Does it sentences below. Does it express action or being?express action or being?

1.1. We parked and locked our bicycles in the rack We parked and locked our bicycles in the rack at the library.at the library.

2.2. Many, many resources were available there.Many, many resources were available there.

3.3. I considered several books about wild animals. I considered several books about wild animals.

4.4. All of the books looked interesting. All of the books looked interesting.

5.5. Finally, I decided on one about tropical birds. Finally, I decided on one about tropical birds.

6.6. The book described many birds from countries The book described many birds from countries in Central and South America. in Central and South America.

Other being verbs: Other being verbs: (sensory verbs)(sensory verbs)

AppearAppear BecomeBecome FeelFeel GrowGrow LookLook SeemSeem RemainRemain SmellSmell SoundSound StayStay tastetaste

These can be either an action or linking verb

Some verbs can function as Some verbs can function as either linking verbs or action either linking verbs or action

verbs. verbs. Linking VerbsLinking Verbs Action VerbsAction Verbs

The lily pond The lily pond smells smells stagnant. stagnant.

The squirrel The squirrel smellssmells its its food. food.

The gardener The gardener felt felt tired. tired.

She She feltfelt the tree’s the tree’s thick leaves. thick leaves.

Linking or Action ???? Linking or Action ????

To help you decide whether one of To help you decide whether one of these verbs is a linking verb, try these verbs is a linking verb, try substituting substituting isis or or areare for the verb. If for the verb. If the sentence still makes sense, the the sentence still makes sense, the verb is probably a linking verb. verb is probably a linking verb. The pigeons look comical. (The pigeons The pigeons look comical. (The pigeons

are comical)are comical)The swan’s hiss sounds fierce. (The The swan’s hiss sounds fierce. (The

swan’s hiss is fierce)swan’s hiss is fierce)

Decide if “sensory” verb is LV or Decide if “sensory” verb is LV or Action Action

A monkey appears from behind a tree. It A monkey appears from behind a tree. It appears excited. appears excited.

The young deer grew taller. The male deer The young deer grew taller. The male deer grew antlers.grew antlers.

The koala baby looks cute. It looks for its The koala baby looks cute. It looks for its mother. mother.

The koala tastes a leaf. Does it taste good?The koala tastes a leaf. Does it taste good?

Helping VerbsHelping Verbs

Helping verbs work with the main verb.Helping verbs work with the main verb. MMayaybbe Mr. e Mr. DDoo oo sshould hould hhave a ave a wwillill

Helping VerbsMight is does should have willMust am did could has wasMay are do would had were be can

List the verbs in the sentences List the verbs in the sentences below and labelbelow and label

Photographs, television, and movies show us a Photographs, television, and movies show us a variety of unusual creatures. variety of unusual creatures.

We can see animals in their natural habitat in We can see animals in their natural habitat in national parks, nature sanctuaries, or even city national parks, nature sanctuaries, or even city parks. parks.

Few animals look strange to us today. Few animals look strange to us today.

Some animals still seem unusual, however. Some animals still seem unusual, however.

The anteater is one example. The anteater is one example.