Verbs

Action Verbs Action Verb tell what the subject is doing. -An action verb can be found by asking the question, “Can I….?” -Action verbs can be actions of the body or mind. Examples of action verbs: talk laugh think jump

Linking Verbs Linking verbs act as an equal sign ( ) for a sentence. - The subject is not doing anything. Instead it is or is like something else in the sentence. - Linking verbs tell us that the subject has a word in the predicate that renames it (a noun) or describes it ( an adjective) - In other words, they are equal.

Linking Verb Examples Linking Verb examples: - Linking verbs include the forms o the verb to be. - am, is, are, was, were, be, been, become, being - Linking verbs are also related to the senses. - tastes, smells, looks, feels, sounds, seems, and more

Linking Verbs in Action - Get ready for some sentences that use linking verbs - In each sentence, there will be arrows that show which words are linked or equal in the sentence

Important Note - A linking verb will always have a word in the predicate that it links to the subject. - ALWAYS - Yes, ALWAYS - Let’s see how linking verbs work in some sentences.

Linking Verbs in Action Mr. Hanley is the subject - Mr. Hanley is the nicest teacher in the school. The linking verb is is Think of the linking verb as an equal sign. What is Mr. Hanley equal to? Teacher is a noun in the predicate that renames the subject.

Linking Verbs in Action Subject The trees are beautiful in the fall. Linking Verb

Subject The play was exciting. Linking Verb

It seemed like a good idea at the time. Subject It seemed like a good idea at the time. Linking Verb

Your Turn The water tastes funny.

The couple seems pleasant.

Ice cream is my favorite dessert.

The report cards were terrible.

Need A Clue? - There is a way to find out if the word you are looking at is a linking verb or not. Substitution If you can substitute is, am, or are for the word you think is a linking verb, and the sentence still makes sense…you are probably right.

Is, Am, Are - Here is a sentence The pie smells delicious. If we think that smells is a linking verb, let’s substitute one of the words and see if the sentence still makes sense. The pie is delicious. The sentence still makes sense, so smells is a linking verb.

The meatloaf smells like it is overcooked The meatloaf smells like it is overcooked. If we think that the word smells is a linking verb, replace it with is, am, or are. The meatloaf is like it is overcooked. In this case, the sentence doesn’t make sense, so smells is not a linking verb in this sentence.

Linking Verb Re-Cap -Linking verbs act as equal ( )signs between a noun in the subject and a noun or adjective. - Linking verbs do NOT show action. - Linking verbs tell us that something is or is like something else. - You can substitute is, am, or are to see if the verb is linking.

Helping Verbs - A helping verb works with a main verb to help you understand what action is taking place. Elmer was using the computer.

23 Helping Verbs am is are was were being been be have has had do does did shall should will would may might must can could

Helping Verbs - Other things to keep in mind: ~ Not every sentence will have a helping verb with the main verb. ~ When you see an “ing” verb such as “running,” be on the lookout for a helping verb.

Helping Verbs Sometimes there is another word which separates the helping verb from the main verb. One common example is “not,” as in : The boy couldn’t find his socks. The helping verb is could and the main verb is find.

Helping Verbs A sentence may contain up to three helping verbs to the main verb. An example would be: The dog must have been chasing the cat. The helping verbs are: must, have, and been; the main verb is chasing.

The girl was running down the street. Your Turn The girl was running down the street.

Sarah and John might have been running too, but they had to stay home and do their homework first.

A car was speeding down the street, and almost hit the girl.

Helping Verb Re-Cap - A helping verb works with a main verb to help you understand what action is taking place. -Not every sentence will have a helping verb with the main verb. - When you see an “ing” verb such as “running,” be on the lookout for a helping verb.