1. Name That Verb!
Action Verbs
Linking Verbs
Helping/Main Verbs

2. There are different types of verbs. Some show action, and some don’t.

3. An action verb shows action
An action verb shows action. It tells what the subject of the sentence does.

4. Action Verbs Bill hit the ball. The cat purred softly.
I walk to school.
Susan spoke to me.

5. A linking verb links, or connects, the subject to the predicate
A linking verb links, or connects, the subject to the predicate. It does not show action.

6. Common Linking Verbs
am is are was
were be been
seems feels tastes

7. Linking Verbs We are hungry. He was late to school.
The winner is Johnny.
The rose smells good.

8. A helping verb helps a main verb
A helping verb helps a main verb. The helping verb comes before the main verb.

9. Helping/Main Verbs I am eating my lunch. Ed has taken the test.
We were talking.

10. In the following sentences, see if you can identify the verb.
Practice Time
In the following sentences, see if you can identify the verb.

11. Ready?
Let’s get started!

12. They are watching television.

13. They are watching television.
Verb: are watching

14. They are watching television.
Verb: are watching
Type: helping/main

15. Frank was tired after work.

16. Frank was tired after work.
Verb: was

17. Frank was tired after work.
Verb: was
Type: linking verb

18. My dad drove his car to the store.

19. My dad drove his car to the store.
Verb: drove

20. My dad drove his car to the store.
Verb: drove
Type: action verb

21. Finding Nemo is her favorite movie.

22. Finding Nemo is her favorite movie.
Verb: is

23. Finding Nemo is her favorite movie.
Verb: is
Type: linking verb

24. I did my homework right after school.

25. I did my homework right after school.
Verb: did

26. I did my homework right after school.
Verb: did
Type: action verb

27. Ann was cooking dinner in the kitchen.

28. Ann was cooking dinner in the kitchen.
Verb: was cooking

29. Ann was cooking dinner in the kitchen.
Verb: was cooking
Type: helping/main

30. The boys were playing in the park.

31. The boys were playing in the park.
Verb: were playing

32. The boys were playing in the park.
Verb: were playing
Type: helping/main

33. Sarah competed in the track meet.

34. Sarah competed in the track meet.
Verb: competed

35. Sarah competed in the track meet.
Verb: competed
Type: action verb

36. The ocean water tastes salty.

37. The ocean water tastes salty.
Verb: tastes

38. The ocean water tastes salty.
Verb: tastes
Type: linking verb

39. Thomas raised his hand.

40. Thomas raised his hand.
Verb: raised

41. Thomas raised his hand.
Verb: raised
Type: action verb

42. The teacher answered his question.

43. The teacher answered his question.
Verb: answered

44. The teacher answered his question.
Verb: answered
Type: action verb

45. Randy is studying for his grammar test.

46. Randy is studying for his grammar test.
Verb: is studying

47. Randy is studying for his grammar test.
Verb: is studying
Type: helping/main

48. They will be late to the party.

49. They will be late to the party.
Verb: will be

50. They will be late to the party.
Verb: will be
Type: linking verb

51. I am thirsty after all that running.

52. I am thirsty after all that running.
Verb: am

53. I am thirsty after all that running.
Verb: am
Type: linking verb

54. We have learned a lot about verbs.

55. We have learned a lot about verbs.
Verb: have learned

56. We have learned a lot about verbs.
Verb: have learned
Type: helping/main

57. Great job!

58. Now that you’re an expert on verbs, be sure to use the related flash cards on

59. direct objects, predicate nouns, and predicate adjectives.