Download Action Verbs

Action Verbs
• An action verb expresses a physical or mental
action
– Physical: run, jump, play, throw
– Mental: think, believe, remember, imagine
• Transitive Verb
– Action verb that expresses an action directed
toward a person or thing
• Adam held the baby. (held is directed toward baby)
• Brian brought flowers. (brought is directed toward flowers)
Action Verbs
• Transitive Verb cont
– Action passes from the doer (subject of sentence)
to the receiver of the action.
– Words that receive the action of a transitive verb
are direct objects.
• Sylvia kicked Juan under the table.
– Subject?
– Action verb?
– Direct object?
• Josh wants a smile from Mary.
• Cornelius painted the canvas.
Action Verbs
• Intransitive Verb
– Action verb that expresses action (or tells
something about the subject) without passing the
action to the receiver. DOES NOT have a direct
object.
• The kids read quietly in class.
• The teacher read aloud.
• Huffing and puffing, we arrived at the classroom door with
only seven seconds to spare.
Action Verbs
• NOTE: Depending on its use, some verbs can
be either transitive or intransitive
– Janet swam ten laps.
• Subject:
• Verb:
• Direct object?
– Janet swam really well.
• Subject:
• Verb:
• Direct object?