Types of Verbs

Action Verbs An action verb is a verb that expresses mental or physical action Examples: The owls hooted all night. We studied history at the library.

Linking Verbs A linking verb is a verb that does not show action but connects the subject with a word in the predicate. am has been may be is have been would have been are had been can be was will be should be were shall be

Other Linking Verbs The following can be linking verbs or action verbs, depending on how they are used: taste look grow feel appear remain smell become stay sound seem

For example: Action: Amy looked through the telescope. Linking: Amy looked pale.

Helping Verbs A helping verb helps the main verb to express action or make a statement. am has might is have must are had can was do could were does shall be did should been may will would

Verb Forms Present Tense (or Simple Form) Past Tense Past Participle (There are others as well—Future, Present Perfect, Past Perfect, Past Perfect Progressive, etc.—but let’s focus on these 3.)

Regular Verb Forms Present Past Past Participle enter entered have entered promise promised have promised smile smiled have smiled

Irregular Verbs Some verbs are irregular. They form the past tense and past participle in a number of different ways. (See your chart.) Present Past Past Participle bring brought have brought swim swam have swum

Troublesome Verbs Lie/Lay Rise/Raise Sit/Set

Lie or Lay? The verb lie means “to recline” or “to remain lying down.” It is an intransitive verb (has no object). Present: Lie on the couch. Past: You lay on the couch yesterday. Past Participle: You have lain on the couch all week.

Lie or Lay? The verb lay means “to put down,” “to place something.” It is a transitive verb (has an object). Present: Lay the book on the table. Past: You laid the book on the table. Past Participle: You have laid the book on the table.

Rise or Raise? The verb rise means “to arise,” “to get up,” or “to go up.” It is an intransitive verb (has no object). Present: The sun rises. Past: The sun rose. Past Participle: The sun has risen.

Rise or Raise? The verb raise means “to lift up” or “force up.” It is a transitive verb (has an object). Present: Raise the roof! Past: You raised the roof! Past Participle: You have raised the roof every day this week!

Sit or Set? The verb sit means “to sit down” or “to rest.” It is an intransitive verb (has no object). Present: Sit there. Past: You sat there. Past Participle: You have sat there all week.

Sit or Set? The verb set means “to place” or “to put.” It is (usually) a transitive verb (has an object). Present: Set your phone on the desk. Past: You set your phone on the desk. Past Participle: You have set your phone on the desk every day.

Set does have one specialized intransitive meaning—the passing of a celestial body below the horizon: The sun set.