Verbs

Verbs show the action of a sentence, or they can also be used to link words

together

Action Verbs

Action verbs can express either mental or physical action.

Mental: remember, think, believe, consider, know

Physical: travel, sit, arise, draw, build

If you read a sentence and have trouble picking out the action verb, ask yourself two questions:

Who or what is this sentence about? (That’s the subject)

What is that subject doing?

Using the method above, what is the verb in the following sentence?

People from Iowa and other Midwestern states enjoy abundant sweet corn in the summer.

Practice: Action VerbsWhat is the action verb in each of the sentences below?

1. The students in chorus sold candy bars as a fund-raiser.2. The report for my American history class reached ten pages in

length.3. John and Nina live in the corner house on the next street over.4. Many freshmen in college switch majors after one semester of

classes.5. The catastrophic storm caught the town by surprise.

1. Sold 4. switch2. Reached 5. caught3. live

Helping Verbs

Sometimes verbs need other words in order to express tense. For example, to show that something is to happen in the future, we would use the verb “will” as a helping verb.

Helping verbs include the following words:

Forms of be am, is, are, was, were, be, been, beingForms of have has, have, having, hadForms of do do, does, doing, didModals may, can, could, might, shall, should, must, will, would

A main verb may have one, two, or even three helping verbs.

They should have been watching for the bus.

Helping Verbs, ContinuedSometimes, adverbs can appear in the middle of verb phrases. Keep an eye out for such words so you don’t identify them as verbs. Basically, if they’re not on the helping verb list, then there’s no way they can be helping verbs.

She should not be talking on the phone during class.

I could probably give my notes for you to copy.

I had always called my brother “Skippy.”

Sometimes a verb phrase can be split up due to sentence structure; usually this happens in questions. Make it a habit to restate questions into normal, declarative statements. This will force the verb phrase back together.

Will Jim attend the meeting on Monday?

(Answer the question using the same words)

Jim will attend the meeting on Monday.

(Verb phrase back together and easy to spot)

Practice

Identify the verbs or verb phrases in the following sentences. Keep your list of helping verbs handy to make sure you’re not identifying something that’s not a verb

1. I have read every book by John Grisham.2. You do not need a book for today’s class.3. They might be attending Saturday’s conference.4. Is Craig looking for a job?5. We may need extra napkins for this messy supper!6. My cousins from Idaho will be arriving on the 6:10 plane.7. Dale has held the slot of student council president since 2008.8. We shall name a new president at tonight’s meeting.9. Are you going to the football game tonight?10. I have not seen Lady Gaga in concert.

Linking Verbs

Unlike action verbs, linking verbs do not show action. They are instead used to link the subject with word(s) to identify the subject or describe the subject. Really, all they are only space fillers being used to join Point A with Point B.

The “to be” verbs are ALWAYS linking:Am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being

Always remember that linking verbs link. You should be able to get your meaning across just by reading the two words the linking verbs are joining.

I felt tired. I. Tired. (General meaning is evident.)Patience is the best remedy for many troubles. Patience. Remedy.My sister is my best friend. Sister. Friend.

This does not work with action verbs.

I threw the football. I. Football. HUH??

Linking Verbs, ContinuedAlthough linking verbs can be used as helping verbs, they can also be the main verb of a sentence.

I might be too tired to jog tonight.

There are some verbs that can be either action or linking, depending on how they’re being used.

appear grow seem staybecome look smell

tastefeel remain sound

turnTo tell the difference, use “caveman talk.” Verbs that are linking should be linking or joining two or more words together. Therefore, if we can read those words together and it sounds OK, that verb is probably a linking verb.`

The chef tasted the soup. Chef. Soup. (Meaning is not clear)

This is an action verb!

The soup tasted spicy. Soup. Spicy. (Meaning is clear)

Linking verb!

PracticePractice using “caveman talk” to tell whether these verbs are action or linking. In your notebook, write “L” for linking or “A” for action.

1. You look worn out.2. I looked everywhere for my glasses.3. Jon smelled the football jersey.4. This football jersey smells disgusting!5. You plan sounds ridiculous.6. My car sounded the horn at the intersection.7. The magician appeared suddenly.8. You appear ill. 9. The leaves turn red in the fall.10. I turned down the street.

One last piece of information: In a verb phrase, if you are trying to determine of the verb is action or linking, only look at the main verb. Ignore the helping verbs.

She had been looking for her wallet all morning.