Verbs and Verb PhrasesBy Mrs. Thomas

Verbs

There are several types of verbs:› Action Verbs› Linking Verbs› Helping Verbs› Infinitives› Gerunds

Action Verbs

Show action› Jim ran around the playground.› Sheila swam a mile.› Jim ran in the relay race.

You can play charades with verbs

I need three volunteers:› Think of a verb in your head. When you

are called on, you will act out the verb.

Linking Verbs

Linking verbs link the subject of the sentence to the predicate.

You can NOT act out a linking verb. The most common linking verbs are the form of

TO BE› is & are› was & were

Substitution Test – Some verbs can be used as both a linking verb and an action verb. To test the verb, simply replace the verb with is, are, or am. If the sentence makes sense then it is a linking verb.

Linking Verbs

am is are was were be been being

appear become became feel grow look remain

seem smell sound stay taste turn

The linking verbs in this box are always linking verbs.

The verbs in these boxes could be linking verbs or action verbs. Use the substitution test to make sure.

Lin

kin

g V

erb

S

ub

stitu

tion

Test

A.

B.

Which of these sentences uses a linking verb?› That cake smells fabulous. › She smelled the flower that he gave her.

Which of these sentences uses a linking verb?› Sylvia tasted the spicy stew.› The stew tasted good.

ANSWER: That cake smells fabulous.We would not say she is the flower that he gave her because that would not make any sense.

ANSWER: The stew tasted good. We would not say Sylvia is spicy stew because that would not make any sense.

Helping Verbs

Helping Verbs help out the main verb in the sentence.

is are am was were

be been being can did

has have had will shall

may could would should might must

Help

ing

Verb

s

A.

B.

Identify the helping verb in the following sentences.› Sam is willing to pay for the broken window.

Identify the helping verb in the following sentences.› Jessica should assist her mother with the

dishes.

ANSWER: isIs helps the verb willing

ANSWER: shouldShould helps the verb assist

Infinitives It is easy to recognize an infinitive when you see

one. Infinitives ALMOST always begin with the word to +

a verb› to run› to jump

EXCEPTIONS: The to is dropped when it follows certain verbs:

let Make see watch

feel hear help

Infi

nitiv

es

A.

B.

Identify the infinitive in the sentence.› We are going to swim at the lake.

› He was planning to sing the song on Valentine’s Day.

Identify the infinitive in the sentence.› Did you feel the rain splatter?

› Miss Jones is helping us understand fractions.

ANSWER: to swim

ANSWER: to splatter

ANSWER: to sing

ANSWER: to understand

Gerunds

Gerunds are verbs that end in –ing but function as a noun in a sentence. › Travelling is a wonderful way to experience

the world. Travelling is the subject of the sentence.

› The crowd did not like my singing. Singing is the object of the verb in the

sentence.

Geru

nd

s

A.

B.

Identify the gerund in the sentence.

› Swimming is a great way to exercise.

Identify the gerund in the sentence.

› Your favorite hobby seems to be sleeping.

ANSWER: swimming

ANSWER: sleeping

Participles

Participles are verbs that end in –ed or –ing but are used as adjectives in a sentence. › The crying baby had a wet diaper.› The guy, wearing the chicken costume, is

my friend. › The burning log fell off the fire.› The church, destroyed by fire, was rebuilt.› Shaken, he walked away from the roller

coaster.

Partic

iple

s

A.

B.

Identify the participle in each sentence.

› Smiling, she hugged the panting dog.

Identify the participle in each sentence.

› Removing his shoes, Joey jumped into the lake.

ANSWER: smiling and panting

ANSWER: removing

Wh

at ty

pe o

f verb

?

A.

B.

Identify the verb in each phrase and what type of verb it is.› We are going to see the horror movie at the

theater.

Identify the verb in each phrase and what type of verb it is.› Cycling is an adventurous sport.

ANSWER: are - helping verbgoing – actionto see - infinitive

ANSWER: cycling - gerundis – linking verb

Wh

at ty

pe o

f verb

?

C.

D.

Identify the verb in each phrase and what type of verb it is.› Watching zombie parades, is really silly.

Identify the verb in each phrase and what type of verb it is.› My friend is spending the day bird watching.

ANSWER: watching – gerundis – linking verb

ANSWER: is - helping verbspending – action verbwatching - gerund