1. Action Verbs
A Project LA Activity
jump

2. What is an action verb?
A verb is one of the most important parts of the sentence. It tells the subjects actions, events, or state of being. It is always found in the predicate of a sentence. A verb that shows action is called an action verb.

3. The words are action verbs:
ran
coughed
swallowed
ride
sang
awake

4. Can you find the action verb in each sentence?
The girls danced in the recital.
Our mailman drove a funny car last week.
His teacher wrote the answers on the board.
Alice worked on her homework last night.
Move On

5. No, try again.

6. Yes, that word is an action verb!
Try another sentence
Move On

7. Present verbs
An action verb that describes an action that is happening now is called a present tense verb.
The bird flies through the sky.
Flies is a present tense verb because it is happening right now.

8. Many present tense verbs end with s, but some end with es, or ies.
cries
sleeps
splashes

9. Past Verbs
Verbs which tell about actions which happened some time ago are past tense verbs.
The dog wanted a bone.
Wanted is a past tense verb because the action has already happened.

10. Many past tense verbs end with ed, but some end with d, or ied.
tried
clapped
played

11. Future Verbs
Verbs which tell about actions which are going to happen are future tense verbs.
We will awaken at six a.m.
Will awaken is a future tense verb because the action has not yet happened.

12. Future tense verbs
Future tense verbs use special words to talk about things that will happen: will, going to, shall, aim to, etc.
going to start
will enjoy
shall

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

14. 23 Helping Verbs may might must be being been am are is was were
(main)
do does did
should could would
have had has
will can shall

15. Other things to keep in mind:
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 also.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. Smack the verb
“Lev wishes they would all just let him go and get the good-byes over with” (Shusterman, 33).

19. Continue…
“Everyone knows the peer counselors are the worst gossips in the whole school (Haddix, 32).

20. Continue…
“Nathan watched the bright red nail do its little dance beneath the dim glow of the dome light up above (Shusterman, 69).

21. More…
“I look left, I look right, I look up. I shift into ninja mode and plunge my fingers into the chain-link and scramble up and over…” (Hautman, 31).

22. One more…
“Starkey takes his sweet time tying his shoes. Then they pull him out of his room and down the stairs” (Shusterman, 5).