Kinds of VerbsKinds of Verbs

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VerbsVerbs

As you know, every sentence has two As you know, every sentence has two parts, the subject and the predicate. parts, the subject and the predicate.

The key word in the predicate is the The key word in the predicate is the verb.verb.

The The verbverb tells what the subject of the tells what the subject of the sentence is, has, does, or feels. sentence is, has, does, or feels. Burt Burt worksworks at the park. at the park.He He trimstrims the trees. the trees.He He lovesloves his job. his job.He He paintspaints the benches. the benches.

Action VerbsAction Verbs

Most verbs are Most verbs are action verbsaction verbs. Some . Some action verbs refer to physical action action verbs refer to physical action that can be seen by other people. that can be seen by other people.

Others refer to mental action that Others refer to mental action that cannot be seen. cannot be seen. Physical Action: The gardener Physical Action: The gardener feedsfeeds the the

ducks. ducks. Mental Action: She Mental Action: She likeslikes the migrating the migrating

birds best. birds best.

Being VerbsBeing Verbs

Other verbs express a state of Other verbs express a state of beingbeing. .

These verbs do not refer to action of These verbs do not refer to action of any sort. They simply tell what the any sort. They simply tell what the subject is. subject is. Burt Burt isis the gardener’s assistant. the gardener’s assistant. He He seemsseems afraid of the swans. afraid of the swans. One swan One swan lookslooks angry. angry.In fact, swans In fact, swans areare rather large birds. rather large birds.

The most common being verbs The most common being verbs are forms of are forms of bebe itself. itself.

AmAm isisAreAreWasWasWereWereBeBeBeingBeingbeenbeen

Other being verbs:Other being verbs:

AppearAppear BecomeBecome FeelFeel GrowGrow LookLook SeemSeem RemainRemain SmellSmell SoundSound StayStay tastetaste

Identify each verb in the Identify each verb in the sentences below. Does it sentences below. Does it express action or being?express action or being?

1.1. We parked and locked our bicycles in the rack We parked and locked our bicycles in the rack at the library.at the library.

2.2. Many, many resources were available there.Many, many resources were available there.3.3. I considered several books about wild animals. I considered several books about wild animals. 4.4. All of the books looked interesting. All of the books looked interesting. 5.5. Finally, I decided on one about tropical birds. Finally, I decided on one about tropical birds. 6.6. The book described many birds from countries The book described many birds from countries

in Central and South America. in Central and South America. 7.7. I especially liked the photographs in the book. I especially liked the photographs in the book. 8.8. The pictures of the birds are very colorful.The pictures of the birds are very colorful.9.9. Some of the birds’ feathers are pink, orange, Some of the birds’ feathers are pink, orange,

red, and green. red, and green. 10.10. I carried the book home in my backpack. I carried the book home in my backpack.

Linking VerbsLinking Verbs

A verb that expresses a state of A verb that expresses a state of being often functions as a being often functions as a linking linking verbverb. .

A linking verb A linking verb linkslinks, or connects, the , or connects, the subject with a noun or an adjective in subject with a noun or an adjective in the predicate that names or the predicate that names or describes the subject. describes the subject. Ethan Ethan isis a very nice. a very nice.Heather Heather isis a tiny girl. a tiny girl.

Some verbs can function as Some verbs can function as either linking verbs or action either linking verbs or action

verbs. verbs. Linking VerbsLinking Verbs Action VerbsAction Verbs

The lily pond The lily pond smells smells stagnant. stagnant.

The squirrel The squirrel smellssmells its its food. food.

The gardener The gardener feltfelt tired. tired.

She She feltfelt the tree’s the tree’s thick leaves. thick leaves.

An Easy Check Test to UseAn Easy Check Test to Use

To help you decide whether one of To help you decide whether one of these verbs is a linking verb, try these verbs is a linking verb, try substituting substituting isis or or areare for the verb. If for the verb. If the sentence still makes sense, the the sentence still makes sense, the verb is probably a linking verb. verb is probably a linking verb. The pigeons look comical. (The pigeons The pigeons look comical. (The pigeons

are comical)are comical)The swan’s hiss sounds fierce. (The The swan’s hiss sounds fierce. (The

swan’s hiss is fierce)swan’s hiss is fierce)

Which sentence in each of the Which sentence in each of the following pairs contains a linking following pairs contains a linking

verb. verb. 11. A monkey appears from behind a tree. It 11. A monkey appears from behind a tree. It

appears excited. appears excited. 12. The young deer grew taller. The male 12. The young deer grew taller. The male

deer grew antlers.deer grew antlers. 13. The koala baby looks cute. It looks for its 13. The koala baby looks cute. It looks for its

mother. mother. 14. The koala tastes a leaf. Does it taste 14. The koala tastes a leaf. Does it taste

good?good? 15. We smell the eucalyptus tree. It smells 15. We smell the eucalyptus tree. It smells

pleasant. pleasant. 16. We feel the tree’s bark. It feels smooth. 16. We feel the tree’s bark. It feels smooth.

List the verbs in the sentences List the verbs in the sentences below. Label each verb action or below. Label each verb action or

being.being.17. The giant anteater usually 17. The giant anteater usually

appears shy.appears shy.18. It enjoys dark, wet tropical 18. It enjoys dark, wet tropical

forests. forests. 19. Ants and termites appear in this 19. Ants and termites appear in this

animal’s diet. animal’s diet. 20. The anteater is a peaceful 20. The anteater is a peaceful

animal. animal.