Download Verbs

Verbs
Parts of Speech
EnglishI-General
Verbs
• A verb is a word used to express action or
a state of being.
– There are different classes of verbs:
• Auxiliary Verbs/Helping Verbs
• Action Verbs
– Transitive
– Intransitive
• Linking Verbs
Action Verbs
• An action verb expresses physical or
mental activity.
– There are two types:
• Transitive Verbs
• Intransitive Verbs
– Dictionaries usually divide action verbs into both of these
classes to help you better understand how to use them.
» Transitive = v.t.
» Intransitive = v.i.
Transitive vs. Intransitive
• A transitive verb is an action verb that
takes an object.
• An intransitive verb is an action verb that
does not take an object.
– Object: a noun or pronoun that tells “who” or
“what”
Transitive vs. Intransitive
• I wrote the essay. [essay receives the
action of wrote]—transitive
• Adam’s mother grounded him. [him
receives the action of grounded]—
transitive
• Rachel sneezed. [no object needed]—
intransitive
• Richard spoke before thinking. [no object
needed]—intransitive
Transitive vs. Intransitive
• Some verbs can be both transitive and
intransitive.
– My sister teaches biology. [transitive]
– My sister teaches well. [intransitive]
Linking Verbs
• A verb that connects the subject with a
noun, a pronoun, or an adjective that
describes or identifies the subject.
– The word that is linked to the subject is called
the subject complement
• A good friend is a gift.
• Elizabeth is a good friend.
Action vs. Linking
• Some verbs can function as both.
– To figure out the type of the verb, insert a form
of “be” or “seem”.
– If the sentence makes sense, the verb can be
classified as a linking verb.
Helping/Auxiliary Verbs
• auxiliary verbs help a main verb make
sense.
– Auxiliary verbs cause verb phrases
• I am going to the store [am = helping verb; going =
main verb.
• You have offended me [have = helping verb;
offended = main verb]
– The word not and its contraction form (n’t) are never part
of a verb phrase…they are adjectives.
– Verb phrases can be separated.
» Have you seen Super Bad?