VERBS A verb is a word that shows action, links another word to the subject, helps another verb, or merely indicates existence. An action verb expresses physical or mental action. • sink, swim, scream, shuffle (physical action verbs) • think, see, realize, decide (mental action verbs) An action verb is transitive if it directs action toward someone or something (the direct object); it is intransitive if it does not. • Transitive: Angie played baseball. (played what? baseball)

1. Hansel and Gretel wandered through the forest. Identify the verb as mental or physical and transitive or intransitive. Hint: Identify your prepositional phrases first. Your verb is not in them, nor is the direct object. 1. Hansel and Gretel wandered through the forest. 2. My mother studied Latin in high school. 3. Our team built the best sand castle. 4. David wrote an excellent essay. 5. Darin hoped for a new car. 6. I planted flowers this weekend. 7. The monkeys swung from tree to tree. 8. After their long hikers ate greedily. 9. The teacher carefully considered the question.

LINKING VERBS A linking verb does not express action. It links a word in the predicate to the subject.

Identify the linking verb and circle the words in the sentence that it links. Remember to mark out prepositions first. 1. The fans were eager for a win. 2. Some of the council members were angry about the taxes. 3. One of the boxes was completely empty. 4. The old barn smelled musty. 5. Helena is our new president. 6. The patient was a man with great courage. 7. The play was a huge success. 8. The principal is always considerate of her staff. 9. Peter Pan stayed a child all his life. 10. That style looks good on you

A helping verb helps the main verb to make a statement.

Add Helping verbs to the following sentences. 1. I ________ ________studying for two hours. 2. Who _______ ______running for student council? 3. We__________ never ___________done it without your help. 4. Dinner __________not be ready for a while. 5. We ______________ ___________prepared more food. 6. The guests _________ ____________ arriving at any moment. 7. Phil ________ never ________ repeated that remark. 8. Will your sister ______ starting college this fall? 9. _________ __________ you put it?

Record in Grammar Section: • A verb phrase is a main verb and its helping verbs. – We should have studied for the final. • A verb phrase can be interrupted by adverbs. – He should easily complete the test on time. • The subject of an interrogative sentence usually interrupts the verb phrase. – Have you seen the play?

Identify the verb phrase in the following sentences. • Explorers have been faced with many obstacles. • They may spend days looking for a shallow place in a river to cross safely. • Canyons and ravines can often not be crossed at all. • Instead, people must travel long distances around them. • Mountain ranges have always presented a challenge. • Explorers must search for a pass through them. • Some explorers searching for mountain passes have been killed by storms, severe cold, or land slides. • Desert heat can also be dangerous. • Even insects can be a hazard.

Verb Assessment 1. Create a sentence with a transitive action verb. 2. Create a sentence with a linking verb. 3. Create a sentence utilizing helping verbs. 4. Create a sentence with a state of being verb. 5. Create a sentence with a intransitive action verb. Now go back to your sentences and underline your verb twice, and your subject once, box any prepositional phrases.