Verbs

Verbs• Definition: A verb is a word that

expresses an action or a state of being. Every complete sentence must contain at least one verb.

• There are three types of verbs: 1) action verbs2) linking verbs 3) helping verbs.

Action VerbsAn action verb shows action. It tells what the

subject of the sentence does.

Examples: The dog barked loudly.

I walked to school.They talked on the phone.The kids swam in the pool.

Find an example on your own in your book.

Linking Verbs

• A linking verb joins the subject of a sentence with a word that identifies or describes it. Example: Miss Moylan is excited for KU basketball to start. Example: The candy tasted sweet.

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Common Linking VerbsThe most common linking verbs are forms of

the verb be:am are is was were will becan be have been should be

Other common linking verbs include:appear become feelgrow look seemsmell sound taste

Helping VerbsA helping verb helps a main verb express

tense, mood, or voice. Helping verbs are always with another verb to create a verb phrase.

Example: We should walk to school today.

Note: A helping verb and a main verb are sometimes separated in a sentence.

Example: Do you play any sports?

Common Helping VerbsForms of the verb be:

is am are waswere be been being

Forms of the verb have and do:has have haddo does did

Other common helping verbs:can could may mightmust should will would

Helping Verb Examples

Example: I can’t run very quickly.

Example: Have you ever thought about volunteering?

Find one in your book!

Note: Some verbs can function different types of verbs, depending on how they are used.

Helping Verbs= Helping Verb + Another verbLinking Verbs= Linking Verb + Adjective

Example: Carolyn tasted the sauce. (Action verb: Carolyn is doing the action of tasting.)

The sauce tasted sweet.(Linking verb: �Tasted� is linking the subject sauce

to its descriptor, sweet.)

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PracticeIdentify each verb and its type in the following

sentences:

1) We imagined a future without any wars.

2) Sarah was expecting a better grade on the test.

3) My hair was long, so the barber cut it.