VerbsVerbs

A verb is a word that expresses action A verb is a word that expresses action or a state of being.or a state of being.

Examples:Examples:

We We celebratedcelebrated the Chinese New Year the Chinese New Year yesterday.yesterday.

The holiday The holiday isis usually in February. usually in February.

There are different types of There are different types of verbs.verbs.

Action vs. LinkingAction vs. Linking

Helping vs. MainHelping vs. Main

An An action verbaction verb is a verb that is a verb that expresses either a physical expresses either a physical or mental activity.or mental activity.

Examples:Examples:1. The owls 1. The owls hootedhooted all night. all night.2. Unfortunately, the Titans 2. Unfortunately, the Titans lostlost their their

game yesterday.game yesterday.3. I 3. I believebelieve you. you.

A linking verb is a verb that expresses A linking verb is a verb that expresses a state of being.a state of being.

A linking verb connects, or links, the A linking verb connects, or links, the subject to a word or word group that subject to a word or word group that identifies or describes the subject.identifies or describes the subject.

Examples:Examples:

Denzel Washington Denzel Washington isis an actor. an actor.

The children The children remainedremained quiet. quiet.

A helping verb helps the main verb express A helping verb helps the main verb express action or a state of being.action or a state of being.

A verb phrase contains one main verb and one A verb phrase contains one main verb and one or more helping verbs.or more helping verbs.

Many students Many students are arrivingare arriving at noon. (helping) at noon. (helping)

My students My students areare in the cafeteria. (main) in the cafeteria. (main)

Transitive Vs. IntransitiveTransitive Vs. Intransitive

A transitive verb is a verb that expresses an A transitive verb is a verb that expresses an action directed toward a person, a place, a action directed toward a person, a place, a thing, or an idea.thing, or an idea.

Examples: Examples:

Derrick Derrick greetedgreeted the visitors. the visitors.

When When willwill Felicia Felicia paintpaint her room? her room?

* The receiver of the action of a transitive * The receiver of the action of a transitive verb will NEVER be in a prepositional verb will NEVER be in a prepositional phrase. When looking for the object of phrase. When looking for the object of a transitive verb, get rid of any a transitive verb, get rid of any prepositional phrase.prepositional phrase.

Identify the object of each transitive verb.Identify the object of each transitive verb.

1.1. The children play checkers.The children play checkers.

2.2. Sarah is reading Sarah is reading Twilight Twilight for her book for her book report.report.

3.3. Mr. Lopez is baking bread for Mr. Lopez is baking bread for tomorrow’s bake sale.tomorrow’s bake sale.

4.4. Have Roland and Tracy left their coats Have Roland and Tracy left their coats in my car?in my car?

An intransitive verb expresses action An intransitive verb expresses action (or tells something about the subject) (or tells something about the subject) without the action passing to a without the action passing to a receiver, or object.receiver, or object.

Examples:Examples:

The train stopped. (at the station)The train stopped. (at the station)

Last night we ate on the patio.Last night we ate on the patio.

Draw arrows from the verb in the sentences to the persons or Draw arrows from the verb in the sentences to the persons or things that receive the actions of the verbs.things that receive the actions of the verbs.

1.1. Melanie ate a baked potato.Melanie ate a baked potato.

2.2. Hector and Tom are reading.Hector and Tom are reading.

3.3. They painted the house.They painted the house.

4.4. Did you carry his suitcase?Did you carry his suitcase?

5. My plant grows quickly.5. My plant grows quickly.

Choose three of the following verbs. Write two sentences for Choose three of the following verbs. Write two sentences for each verb (for a total of 6 sentences). In one sentence, use each verb (for a total of 6 sentences). In one sentence, use the verb as a transitive verb and underline the object. In the the verb as a transitive verb and underline the object. In the other, use the verb as an intransitive verb.other, use the verb as an intransitive verb.

Example: writeExample: write

Alex is writing a research Alex is writing a research reportreport..

Alex writes in his journal every day.Alex writes in his journal every day.

VerbsVerbs

flyfly leaveleave drivedrive jumpjump watchwatch

drawdraw hearhear visitvisit singsing

Principal Parts of VerbsPrincipal Parts of Verbs

The principal parts of a verb are the base form, The principal parts of a verb are the base form, the present participle, the past, and the past the present participle, the past, and the past participle.participle.

Base FormBase Form PresentPresent

ParticipleParticiple

PastPast PastPast

ParticipleParticiple

talktalk is talkingis talking talkedtalked have talkedhave talked

Base FormBase Form PresentPresent

ParticipleParticiple

PastPast PastPast

ParticipleParticiple

talktalk is talkingis talking talkedtalked have talkedhave talked

Rules for forming verbs:Rules for forming verbs:

Rule #1Rule #1

A regular verb forms its past and past A regular verb forms its past and past participle by adding –d or –ed to the base participle by adding –d or –ed to the base form.form.

Base FormBase Form PresentPresent

ParticipleParticiple

PastPast PastPast

ParticipleParticiple

cleanclean is cleaningis cleaning cleanedcleaned have cleanedhave cleaned

Rule #2Rule #2

An irregular verb forms its past and An irregular verb forms its past and past participle in some way other past participle in some way other than by adding –d or –ed to the base than by adding –d or –ed to the base form. Irregular verbs form their past form. Irregular verbs form their past and past participle in various ways:and past participle in various ways:

~by changing vowels:~by changing vowels:

Base FormBase Form PastPast Past Past ParticipleParticiple

singsing sangsang have sunghave sung

~ by changing consonants~ by changing consonants

Base FormBase Form PastPast Past Past ParticipleParticiple

makemake mademade have madehave made

~ by changing vowels ~ by changing vowels andand consonants consonants

Base FormBase Form PastPast Past Past ParticipleParticiple

dodo diddid have donehave done

~ by making no changes~ by making no changes

Base FormBase Form PastPast Past Past ParticipleParticiple

hurthurt hurthurt have hurthave hurt

Active or Passive Voice?Active or Passive Voice?

A verb in the active voice expresses an action A verb in the active voice expresses an action done by its subject.done by its subject.

Example:Example:

The teacher instructed us.The teacher instructed us.

The teacherThe teacher is the is the subjectsubject of the of the sentence, and the teacher is the sentence, and the teacher is the one doing the action. (instructing)one doing the action. (instructing)

A verb in the passive voice A verb in the passive voice expresses an action done to the expresses an action done to the subject.subject.

We were instructed by the teacher.We were instructed by the teacher.

WeWe is the is the subjectsubject of the sentence, of the sentence, but they are not doing the action but they are not doing the action

(instructing). They are being (instructing). They are being instructed.instructed.

Determine if the following sentences are in the Determine if the following sentences are in the active or passive voice. (Ask yourself if active or passive voice. (Ask yourself if the subject is “doing” the action)the subject is “doing” the action)

1.1. Alice caught a fly ball.Alice caught a fly ball.

2.2. The fly ball was caught by Alice.The fly ball was caught by Alice.

3.3. The race was won by Anahi.The race was won by Anahi.

4.4. The student council elected Josh.The student council elected Josh.

5.5. Mike does not understand his homework.Mike does not understand his homework.

6.6. The tickets have already been sold.The tickets have already been sold.

Apply it!Apply it!

In general, writers should avoid using In general, writers should avoid using the passive voice. Using the active the passive voice. Using the active voice helps make your writing direct voice helps make your writing direct and forceful.and forceful.

Is this passage in the active or passive voice?Is this passage in the active or passive voice?

I had two brothers who beat me at everything, I had two brothers who beat me at everything, at every turn, as badly as they could. So, when I at every turn, as badly as they could. So, when I played anything with them, I wanted to win. When played anything with them, I wanted to win. When our coach would say, “I just wanted to make sure our coach would say, “I just wanted to make sure you’re having fun,” I didn’t understand. And when you’re having fun,” I didn’t understand. And when my teammates seemed more interested in ice my teammates seemed more interested in ice cream or snow cones after a game, especially if it cream or snow cones after a game, especially if it was a game we lost, I was baffled and upsetwas a game we lost, I was baffled and upset ..