Download Verbs

Verbs
Action Verbs
Action Verb tell what the subject is doing.
-An action verb can be found by asking the
question, “Can I….?”
-Action verbs can be actions of the body or mind.
Examples of action verbs:
talk
laugh
think
jump
Linking Verbs
Linking verbs act as an equal sign (
) for a sentence.
- The subject is not doing anything. Instead it is
or is like something else in the sentence.
- Linking verbs tell us that the subject has a word
in the predicate that renames it (a noun) or
describes it ( an adjective)
- In other words, they are equal.
Linking Verb Examples
Linking Verb examples:
- Linking verbs include the forms o the verb to be.
- am, is, are, was, were, be, been,
become, being
- Linking verbs are also related to the senses.
- tastes, smells, looks, feels, sounds, seems,
and more
Linking Verbs in Action
- Get ready for some sentences that use linking
verbs
- In each sentence, there will be arrows that
show which words are linked or equal in the
sentence
Important Note
- A linking verb will always have a word in the
predicate that it links to the subject.
- ALWAYS
- Yes, ALWAYS
- Let’s see how linking verbs work in some
sentences.
Linking Verbs in Action
Mr. Hanley is the subject
- Mr. Hanley is the nicest teacher in the school.
The linking verb is is
Think of the linking verb as an equal sign.
What is Mr. Hanley equal to?
Teacher is a noun in the predicate that
renames the subject.
Linking Verbs in Action
Subject
The trees are beautiful in the fall.
Linking Verb
Subject
The play was exciting.
Linking
Verb
Subject
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
Linking
Verb
Your Turn
The water tastes funny.
The couple seems
pleasant.
Ice cream is my favorite dessert.
The report cards were terrible.
Need A Clue?
- There is a way to find out if the word you are
looking at is a linking verb or not.
Substitution
If you can substitute is, am, or are for the word
you think is a linking verb, and the sentence still makes
sense…you are probably right.
Is, Am, Are
- Here is a sentence
The pie smells delicious.
If we think that smells is a linking verb, let’s
substitute one of the words and see if the sentence still
makes sense.
The pie is delicious.
The sentence still makes sense, so smells is a
linking verb.
The meatloaf smells like it is overcooked.
If we think that the word smells is a linking verb,
replace it with is, am, or are.
The meatloaf is like it is overcooked.
In this case, the sentence doesn’t make sense, so
smells is not a linking verb in this sentence.
Linking Verb Re-Cap
-Linking verbs act as equal (
)signs between a
noun in the subject and a noun or adjective.
- Linking verbs do NOT show action.
- Linking verbs tell us that something is or is like
something else.
- You can substitute is, am, or are to see if the
verb is linking.
Helping Verbs
- A helping verb works with a main verb to help you
understand what action is taking place.
Elmer was using the computer.
23 Helping Verbs
am
is
are
was
were
being
been
be
have
has
had
do
does
did
shall
should
will
would
may
might
must
can
could
Helping Verbs
- Other things to keep in mind:
~ Not every sentence will have a helping
verb with the main verb.
~ When you see an “ing” verb such as
“running,” be on the lookout for a helping verb.
Helping Verbs
Sometimes there is another word which separates
the helping verb from the main verb. One common
example is “not,” as in :
The boy couldn’t find his socks.
The helping verb is could and the main verb is find.
Helping Verbs
A sentence may contain up to three helping verbs
to the main verb. An example would be:
The dog must have been chasing the cat.
The helping verbs are: must, have, and been; the
main verb is chasing.
Your Turn
The girl was running down the
street.
Sarah and John might have
been running too, but they had to
stay home and do their homework
first.
A car was speeding down the
street, and almost hit the girl.
Helping Verb Re-Cap
- A helping verb works with a main verb to help you
understand what action is taking place.
-Not every sentence will have a helping verb with the main
verb.
- When you see an “ing” verb such as “running,” be on the
lookout for a helping verb.