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VERBS
VERBS
• A verb is a word that expresses action or
a state of being and is necessary to make
a statement.
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The violinists begin.
The flutist entered late.
Rehearsals are important.
The conductor seems enthusiastic.
Action Verbs
• An action verb tells what someone or
something does.
• Some action verbs express physical
action; others express mental action.
• Physical Action: The catcher often
signals to the pitcher.
• Mental Action: A good catcher
understands the batter’s technique.
Action Verbs
• A transitive verb is an action verb that is
followed by a word or words that answer
the question what? or whom?
• Cats see their prey in the dark.
• An intransitive verb is an action verb that
is not followed by a word or words that
answer the question what? or whom?
• Cats see well in the dark.
Linking Verbs
• A linking verb links or joins the subject of a
sentence (often a noun or pronoun) with a word
or expression that identifies or describes the
subject.
• Be in all its forms – am, is, are, was, were- is
the most commonly used linking verb.
• I am an athlete.
The players are fast.
• Squash is an indoor sport.
• They were hockey fans.
Linking Verbs
• Several other verbs besides the forms of
be can act as linking verbs.
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• Other Linking Verbs
Look remain seem
become
Stay
grow
appear sound
Taste smell
feel
If a verb can be replaced by a form of the
verb be, it is probably used as a linking
verb.
Verb Phrases
• The verb in a sentence may consist of
more than one word. The words that
accompany the main verb are called the
auxiliary, or helping, verbs.
• A verb phrase consists of a main verb
and all its auxiliary, or helping, verbs.
Verb Phrases
Auxiliary Verbs
• Forms of Be: am, is, are, was, were,
being, been
• Forms of Have: has, have, had
• Other Auxiliary Verbs:
can, could
may, might
must
do, does, did
shall, should
will, would
Verb Phrases
The most common auxiliary verbs are the
forms of be and have. They help the main
verb express the various tenses.
• We are working in the yard.
• We have worked for the past two weeks.
• We had been working for an hour before
the storm.
Verb Phrases
• The other auxiliary verbs are not used
primarily to express time. They are often
used to emphasize meaning.
• I should be leaving.
• Could he have finished?
• Luisa may already be waiting.