1. Learning about Verbs

2.  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

3.  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?”

4.  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.

5.  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.

6. 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.soothe 4.challenge 5.hide

7.  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.

8.  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?

9.  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.

10.  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.

11.  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.

12. The archaeologist digs.

13. She found a shard of pottery.

14. The ruins were spectacular.

15. The vase feels smooth.

16. The chief remained calm.