Action Verbs

LJ #____

10/19/15

What is an action verb?

A verb is one of the most important parts of the sentence. It tells the subject’s actions, events, or state of being. A verb that shows action is called an action verb.

These words are action verbs:

ran

slept

studying

read

Present verbs

An action verb that describes an action that is happening now is called a present tense verbpresent tense verb.

Ex: A bird flies in

the sky.

Present tense verbs

Many present tense verbs end with ss, but some end with eses, or iesies.

sleeps splashes cries

Past Verbs

Verbs which tell about actions which happened some time ago are past tense verbs.

Ex: The dog wanted

the bone.

Past tense verbs

Many past tense verbs end with ed, ed, but some end with d, d, or ied ied.

clapped played tried

Future Verbs

Verbs which tell about actions which are going to happen are future tense verbs.

We will awaken at

5:00 a.m.

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”, “shall email”“aim to please”

Helping Verbs

A helping verb works with a main verb to help you understand what action is taking place.

The girl was usingwas using the computer.

23 Helping Verbs

maymightmust 

bebeingbeenamareiswaswere

dodoesdid

shouldcouldwould

havehadhas

willcanshall

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.

Helping Verbs

•Sometimes there is another word which separates the helping verb from the main verb.

•Ex: "not", as in: The boy could not 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.

•Ex: The dog must have been chasing the cat. The helping verbs are: must, have, and been; the main verb is chasing.