An LSCC Learning Center Self-Paced Tutorial PARTS OF SPEECH: Verbs

What are the Parts of Speech? This is the common term for the various categories of words that make up the English language. They are: – NounsVerbs – PronounsAdverbs – Adjectives Articles – PrepositionsConjunctions – Interjections The good news is – this is the entire list! The bad news is - many of these categories have multiple subgroups. Today we are going to discuss verbs.

VERBS Verbs are one of the two essential parts of a sentence: the subject and the predicate. JAMES (subject) DOWN TO THE GROUND. (the rest of the predicate) SLIDES (verb)

VERBS What is a verb? We probably know that a verb shows action, but it can also show sensory states, describe the state of being, link ideas, or help another verb Maria ran to the corner. (action) The hot coffee smells good. (sensory) Florida is where I live. (being)

VERBS Verbs also perform two supporting jobs as linking verbs and helping verbs. Linking verbs join or “link” the subject to additional information: Pepperoni pizza is delicious. Helping verbs create various verb tenses and moods: Pictures are being taken in the lobby.

VERBS There are two types of verbs, often called “voices.” Active voice represents the usual logical order of who did what? or Subject Verb Object The dog ate the bone. Jane went to the meeting.

VERBS Passive voice represents the reverse of the usual logical order: What was done by whom? The bone was eaten by the dog. The meeting was attended by Jane.

VERBS Tricks for identifying passive voice: – Look for a form of “to be” and the past participle of another verb: is eaten, was crossed, are defined – If this formula is not present you do not have a passive verb. Look for an agent phrase. But be aware, sometimes the agent is not defined: – The car was fixed by the mechanic. – The car was fixed. (no agent) Does it fit the “what was done by whom” model?

VERBS Verb Tense tells us the time frame in which the action of the verb takes place. The Active tenses are: Present Future Progressive Past Present Perfect Future Past Perfect Present Progressive Future Perfect Past Progressive We can represent these tenses as points on a number line, where 0 = the present time, negatives the past, and positives the future. ←past future →

VERBS Present – This action is taking place now, is always true, or takes place at the same time regularly. – Harvey places the book on the table. (now) – The earth is round. (fact) – The bus picks us up at 7:00AM daily. (routine)

VERBS Past: the simple past tense shows an action that was completed at some particular point before the present moment. The past tense is commonly formed by adding “ed” to regular verbs, but there are many irregular verbs to remember. – I walked my dog yesterday. – The museum opened in – The wind blew through the house Yesterday

VERBS Future: simple future describes something that will or will not occur at some later point in time. – I will be 30 on my next birthday. – He will go with you on the roller coaster next time. – You won’t forget to feed the fish, right? Future

VERBS Present Progressive carries action forward as the present moment moves through time. It is constructed with a form of “to be” and the “ing” form of the main verb. – I am waiting for you to complete your test. – Daria is planning to take a cruise this spring. Waiting Present

VERBS Past Progressive describes action that spans a specific time period beginning and ending in the past: They were driving for twelve hours straight yesterday. – describes an ongoing action in the past that was then interrupted by another incident. They were eating dinner when the phone rang. It is constructed with a past form of “to be” and the “ing” form of the main verb. Eating, eating, eating RING!

VERBS Future Progressive describes action that spans a specific time period beginning and ending in the future: They will be driving for twelve hours straight by the time they reach Boston. describes an ongoing action in the future that is then interrupted by another incident. He will be starting college when his loans are approved. It is constructed with “will be” or “will not be” and the “ing” form of the main verb.

VERBS Present Perfect

VERBS Past Perfect

VERBS Future Perfect

VERBS Passive Tenses - There is a passive tense equivalent to each of the active tenses.

VERBS