ACTION AND LINKING

VERBS

Verbs can show action or state of being.

Examples: go (action), is (state of being)

An action verb expresses a physical or mental action.

Example: He paints. We thought about it.

She is pretty.

An action verb is a word that names an action. It may contain more than one word.

Notice the following action verbs.

Sports experts write about the football player Jim Thorpe even today. Thorpe blocked like a tank. He tackled like a tornado. In every game Thorpe attacked his opponents with all his might. He caught the ball skillfully and charged ahead fearlessly. Experts still remember and honor Thorpe’s greatness.

A

C

T

I

O

N

V

E

R

B

S

An action verb can express physical actions, such as writing and running, or mental activities such as thinking and honoring.

A

C

T

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N

V

E

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B

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Physical

write

block

tackle

catch

charge

hike

Mental

remember

honor

prefer

excel

regarded

thought

LINKINGVERBS

Linking Verbs and Predicate Words

A linking verb connects the subject of a sentence with a description or identifier of the subject (a noun or an adjective in the predicate).

John McGraw was the manager.

Linking verbs tell what the subject is or is like.

Linking Verb

Subject Predicate Noun

Common Linking Verbs

be becomegrow turnseem tasteappear feellook sound

smellMany of these linking verbs can also be used as action verbs.

Chandra turned thirteen. (Linking Verb)

The car turned the corner. (Action Verb)

Predicate Nouns

Sam is a pitcher.

Susan was our best player.

Will you be my friend?

A predicate noun follows a linking verb. It tells what the subject is.

Predicate Adjectives

Samantha is beautiful.

Susan was bored with sports.

Will the game be interesting?

A predicate adjective follows a linking verb. It describes the subject by telling what it is like.

Let’s PracticeIn the following sentences, see if you can identify the verb. Then, tell me what it is: Action or Linking?

Frank was tired after work.

Frank was tired after work.

Verb: was

Frank was tired after work.

Verb: wasType: linking verb

My dad drove his car to the store.

My dad drove his car to the store.

Verb: drove

My dad drove his car to the store.

Verb: droveType: action verb

Finding Nemo is her favorite movie.

Finding Nemo is her favorite movie.

Verb: is

Finding Nemo is her favorite movie.

Verb: isType: linking verb

I did my homework right after school.

I did my homework right after school.

Verb: did

I did my homework right after school.

Verb: didType: action verb

The ocean water tastes salty.

The ocean water tastes salty.

Verb: tastes

The ocean water tastes salty.

Verb: tastesType: linking verb

Thomas raised his hand.

Thomas raised his hand.

Verb: raised

Thomas raised his hand.

Verb: raisedType: action verb

They will be late to the party.

They will be late to the party.

Verb: will be

They will be late to the party.

Verb: will beType: linking verb

I am thirsty after all that running.

I am thirsty after all that running.

Verb: am

I am thirsty after all that running.

Verb: amType: linking verb

Homework

Warriner’sPages 19-22

Verbs – page 19Exercise A: Underline the verb in each of the following sentences.

1. Dena is also very creative.

Verbs – page 19Exercise A: Underline the verb in each of the following sentences.

1. Dena is also very creative.

Verbs – page 19Exercise A: Underline the verb in each of the following sentences.

2. For her mother’s present, she painted a waterfront

scene.

Verbs – page 19Exercise A: Underline the verb in each of the following sentences.

2. For her mother’s present, she painted a waterfront

scene.

Verbs – page 20Exercise B: Underline the verb or verb phrase in each of the following sentences. Be sure to include all words in a verb phrase.

11. He is the youngest in the family.

Verbs – page 20Exercise B: Underline the verb or verb phrase in each of the following sentences. Be sure to include all words in a verb phrase.

11. He is the youngest in the family.

Verbs – page 20Exercise B: Underline the verb or verb phrase in each of the following sentences. Be sure to include all words in a verb phrase.

12. How lucky you always are!

Verbs – page 20Exercise B: Underline the verb or verb phrase in each of the following sentences. Be sure to include all words in a verb phrase.

12. How lucky you always are!

Verbs – page 21Exercise A: Underline the action verbs in each of the following sentences. Remember to include any helping verbs.

1. Yoko wrote a short story about her cat.

Verbs – page 21Exercise A: Underline the action verbs in each of the following sentences. Remember to include any helping verbs.

1. Yoko wrote a short story about her cat.

Verbs – page 21Exercise A: Underline the action verbs in each of the following sentences. Remember to include any helping verbs.

2. Have you visited your aunt lately?

Verbs – page 21Exercise A: Underline the action verbs in each of the following sentences. Remember to include any helping verbs.

2. Have you visited your aunt lately?

Verbs – page 22Exercise B: Underline the linking verbs in each of the following sentences. Remember to include any helping verbs.

11. The jazz band performance was wonderful.

Verbs – page 22Exercise B: Underline the linking verbs in each of the following sentences. Remember to include any helping verbs.

11. The jazz band performance was wonderful.

Verbs – page 22Exercise B: Underline the linking verbs in each of the following sentences. Remember to include any helping verbs.

12. Mrs. Abraham’s class seems enthusiastic about the

upcoming science fair.

Verbs – page 22Exercise B: Underline the linking verbs in each of the following sentences. Remember to include any helping verbs.

12. Mrs. Abraham’s class seems enthusiastic about the

upcoming science fair.

Homework 19-22

The End