Verbs and Complements

pp. 61-64 and pp. 97-99 in Elements of Language, 4th Course

Main Verbs and Helping Verbs

A verb phrase consists of one main verb and possibly one or more helping verbs

Helping Verbs

Sing to the tune of “London Bridges Falling Down”

am have shall can

are has will could

be had should being

been do would

is does may

was did might

were must

Note

• The word “not” and its contraction “n’t” are never part of a verb phrase. Instead they are adverbs telling “to what extent.”

Action Verbs

An action verb expresses either physical or mental activity

Physical Mental

bring ponder

say trust

shout review

jump evaluate

breathe guess

Linking Verbs

Linking verbs are a helping verb or verbs that appear by themselves (without an action verb). Linking verbs connect the subject to a word or group of words that identifies or describes the subject.

Ex. Kelp is the scientific name for seaweed.

Ex. Kelp has been a source of good source of iodine.

Commonly Used Linking Verbs

be shall be shall have been should be

being will be will have beenwould be

am has been can becould be

is have been may beshould have been

was had been might bewould have been

were are must becould have been

Linking Verbs That Look Like Action Verbs: The Halfway Verbs

appear feel look seem soundtaste

become grow remain smell stay turn

The halfway verbs can be used as action as well as linking verbs.

Linking Emilia felt calm at the seashore

Action Emilia felt the waving strands of kelp.

Linking The flowers smelled sweet.

Action Emilia smelled the flowers.

Subject Complement

A subject complement is a word or group of word that follows a linking verb and that either renames or describes the subject.

Rob seems worried.

Lani is a soccer player.

There are 2 types of subject complements: Predicate Nominatives and Predicate Adjectives

Predicate Nominatives

• A predicate nominative is a word or word group that follows a linking verb and renames the subject.• Some caterpillars become butterflies.

[Butterflies renames caterpillars]

• She is the next speaker. [Speaker renames She]

Predicate Adjective

A predicate adjective is a word or group of words that follow a linking verb and describes the subject of the sentence.

You look happy. [Happy describes the subject You]

When she left, Norma appeared calm. [Calm describes the subject Norma]

That commercial is so silly. [Silly describes the subject Commercial]