Kinds of Verbs

As you know, every sentence has two parts, the subject and the predicate. As you know, every sentence has two parts, the subject and the predicate. The key word in the predicate is the verb. The key word in the predicate is the verb. The verb tells what the subject of the sentence is, has, does, or feels. The verb tells what the subject of the sentence is, has, does, or feels. Burt works at the park. Burt works at the park. He trims the trees. He trims the trees. He loves his job. He loves his job. He paints the benches. He paints the benches.

Action Verbs Most verbs are action verbs. Some action verbs refer to physical action that can be seen by other people. Most verbs are action verbs. Some action verbs refer to physical action that can be seen by other people. Others refer to mental action that cannot be seen. Others refer to mental action that cannot be seen. Physical Action: The gardener feeds the ducks. Physical Action: The gardener feeds the ducks. Mental Action: She likes the migrating birds best. Mental Action: She likes the migrating birds best.

Being Verbs Other verbs express a state of being. Other verbs express a state of being. These verbs do not refer to action of any sort. They simply tell what the subject is. These verbs do not refer to action of any sort. They simply tell what the subject is. Burt is the gardener’s assistant. Burt is the gardener’s assistant. He seems afraid of the swans. He seems afraid of the swans. One swan looks angry. One swan looks angry. In fact, swans are hungry. In fact, swans are hungry.

The most common being verbs are forms of be itself. Am Am is is Are Are Was Was Were Were Be Be Being Being been been

Other being verbs: Appear Appear Become Become Feel Feel Grow Grow Look Look Seem Seem Remain Remain Smell Smell Sound Sound Stay Stay taste taste

Identify each verb in the sentences below. Does it express action or being? 1. We parked and locked our bicycles in the rack at the library. 2. Many, many resources were available there. 3. I considered several books about wild animals. 4. All of the books looked interesting. 5. Finally, I decided on one about tropical birds.

Identify each verb in the sentences below. Does it express action or being? 6. The book described many birds from countries in Central and South America. 7. I especially liked the photographs in the book. 8. The pictures of the birds are very colorful. 9. Some of the birds’ feathers are pink, orange, red, and green. 10. I carried the book home in my backpack.

Linking Verbs A verb that expresses a state of being often functions as a linking verb. A verb that expresses a state of being often functions as a linking verb. A linking verb links, or connects, the subject with a noun or an adjective in the predicate that names or describes the subject. A linking verb links, or connects, the subject with a noun or an adjective in the predicate that names or describes the subject. Peanut is a toad. Peanut is a toad. Peanut is tiny. Peanut is tiny.

Some verbs can function as either linking verbs or action verbs. Linking Verbs Action Verbs The lily pond smells stagnant. The squirrel smells its food. The gardener felt tired. She felt the tree’s thick leaves.

To help you decide whether one of these verbs is a linking verb, try substituting is or are for the verb. If the sentence still makes sense, the verb is probably a linking verb. To help you decide whether one of these verbs is a linking verb, try substituting is or are for the verb. If the sentence still makes sense, the verb is probably a linking verb. The pigeons look comical. (The pigeons are comical.) The pigeons look comical. (The pigeons are comical.) The swan’s hiss sounds fierce. (The swan’s hiss is fierce.) The swan’s hiss sounds fierce. (The swan’s hiss is fierce.)

Which sentence in each of the following pairs contains a linking verb. 11. A monkey appears from behind a tree. It appears excited. 11. A monkey appears from behind a tree. It appears excited. 12. The young deer grew taller. The male deer grew antlers. 12. The young deer grew taller. The male deer grew antlers. 13. The koala baby looks cute. It looks for its mother. 13. The koala baby looks cute. It looks for its mother. 14. The koala tastes a leaf. Does it taste good? 14. The koala tastes a leaf. Does it taste good? 15. We smell the eucalyptus tree. It smells pleasant. 15. We smell the eucalyptus tree. It smells pleasant. 16. We feel the tree’s bark. It feels smooth. 16. We feel the tree’s bark. It feels smooth.

List the verbs in the sentences below. Label each verb action or being. 17. Photographs, television, and movies show us a variety of unusual creatures. 17. Photographs, television, and movies show us a variety of unusual creatures. 18. We can see animals in their natural habitat in national parks, nature sanctuaries, or even city parks. 18. We can see animals in their natural habitat in national parks, nature sanctuaries, or even city parks. 19. Few animals look strange to us today. 19. Few animals look strange to us today. 20. Some animals still seem unusual, however. 20. Some animals still seem unusual, however.

List the verbs in the sentences below. Label each verb action or being. 21. The anteater is one example. 21. The anteater is one example. 22. The head and snout of this animal form a long tube. 22. The head and snout of this animal form a long tube. 23. A giant anteater becomes six feet long. 23. A giant anteater becomes six feet long. 24. It grows a coarse coat of hair. 24. It grows a coarse coat of hair. 25. The front toes and claws of the anteater fold under. 25. The front toes and claws of the anteater fold under. 26. The animal actually walks on its knuckles. 26. The animal actually walks on its knuckles.

List the verbs in the sentences below. Label each verb action or being. 27. The giant anteater usually appears shy. 27. The giant anteater usually appears shy. 28. It enjoys dark, wet tropical forests. 28. It enjoys dark, wet tropical forests. 29. Ants and termites appear in this animal’s diet. 29. Ants and termites appear in this animal’s diet. 30. The anteater is a peaceful animal. 30. The anteater is a peaceful animal.

Helping Verbs A helping verb helps another verb to show an action. A helping verb helps another verb to show an action. Have and has can be helping verbs. Have and has can be helping verbs. Use has when the subject is singular. Use has when the subject is singular. Use have when the subject is plural or I or you. Use have when the subject is plural or I or you. Mom has been looking for a new recipe for chocolate cake. Mom and Dad have been married for 8 years. Mom has been looking for a new recipe for chocolate cake. Mom and Dad have been married for 8 years..

Helping Verbs Am, is, are, was, and were are also helping verbs (and linking verbs). Am, is, are, was, and were are also helping verbs (and linking verbs). We were happy that they came. We were happy that they came. Madison is making her bed. Madison is making her bed. Harrison was going to the park yesterday. Harrison was going to the park yesterday. You are looking for the keys. You are looking for the keys. I am coming to the party. I am coming to the party..

Helping Verbs A helping verb helps another verb show action. A helping verb helps another verb show action. I am helping mom clean the house. I am helping mom clean the house. She is waiting on me. She is waiting on me. Joe and Jan were standing in the rain. Joe and Jan were standing in the rain. They are taking my sister to the doctor. They are taking my sister to the doctor. Our teacher was hoping we would do well on our test. Our teacher was hoping we would do well on our test. Tom has given his dog a bath. Tom has given his dog a bath. They have waited an hour for the tickets to go on sale. They have waited an hour for the tickets to go on sale.

Regular verbs A regular verb is made past tense by simply adding d or ed to the regular spelling of the verb. A regular verb is made past tense by simply adding d or ed to the regular spelling of the verb. Examples: Examples:

Irregular Verbs An irregular verb is made past tense by using a different form of the main word. Most of the time the entire spelling of that word changes. An irregular verb is made past tense by using a different form of the main word. Most of the time the entire spelling of that word changes. Example: Example:

Irregular Verbs Some irregular verbs use ‘n’ or “en” to from the past tense with a helping verb. Some irregular verbs use ‘n’ or “en” to from the past tense with a helping verb. The past tense with a helping verb is different from the past tense from without a helping verb. The past tense with a helping verb is different from the past tense from without a helping verb. Examples: Examples: blowblewhave blown blowblewhave blown do didhave done do didhave done