Lights, Camera, Action!

Learning about Verbs

Things you will learn about verbs:

You will learn how to recognize a verb.

Then you will learn about three different kinds of verbs–

Verbs that express action Verbs that link the parts of a sentence Verbs that help other verbs

Action Verbs and Linking Verbs

A verb is an important part of every sentence. No sentence is complete without one. A verb tells what someone or something does or is. In other words, a verb shows action or condition.

Now we’re going to play a game! “What Can You Do With It?”

Action Verbs and Linking Verbs

A verb expresses the action or condition of a person, place, or thing.

Identify the action verbs in these sentences: The archaeologist digs.

She found a shard of pottery.

Action Verbs and Linking Verbs

Other verbs express condition, that is, they link a noun or pronoun with words that describe the condition of the noun or pronoun.

Identify the verbs expressing condition: The ruins were spectacular.

This vase feels smooth.

Action Verbs

•Now it’s your turn to demonstrate you understand action verbs!

•Get out a sheet of paper and write a sentence using each of the following action verbs:

1. discover 2. wish 3. soothe4. challenge 5. hide

Linking Verbs

Linking verbs connects a noun or pronoun to a word that identifies or describes the noun or pronoun.

The most common linking verbs are all forms of the verb be: am, is, are, was and were.

Examples: Laura is the historian. Elliot was ready.

Linking Verbs

There are several other verbs that function as linking verbs. They work to connect the parts of a sentence in the same way as the forms of be:

Example: The chief remained calm.

Do you think you are ready to write some sentences using linking verbs?

Distinguishing Between Action Verbs and Linking Verbs

Some verbs can be used as either linking verbs or action verbs. Linking: The tyrant felt threatened.

Action: The tyrant felt the sword.

Linking: The people grew unhappy.

Action: The people grew poor crops.

How to test if a verb is an action verb or a linking verb

To test whether a verb is a linking verb or an action verb, replace the verb with is, am, or are. If a sentence still makes sense, then the verb is a linking verb.

Let’s practice with some sentences.

Helping Verbs

Helping verb is a verb that comes before the main verb and adds to its meaning.

A main verb and one or more helping verbs form a verb phrase.

Examples: He was leading the Romans. He had been leading the Romans. He should have been leading the Romans.

The various forms of be and have are the most common helping verbs.

Wow! Great job!

The archaeologist digs.

CORRECT!

Good job!

She found a shard of pottery.

Great!

Wow! Great Job!

The ruins were spectacular.

That’s Right!

Good Job!

The vase feels smooth.

Correct!

Correct!

The chief remained calm.

That’s Right!