Action Verbs, Linking Verbs, and

Helping Verbs

Action Verbs Expresses an action

• Example: The teacher gave us the test.

There are 2 types of action verbs: 1. Visible action: I brought my

baseball glove. 2. Mental action: I decided to play.

Linking VerbsA linking verb is a verb that links (connects) the

subject of the sentence to information about that subject.   They do not show action.

Am LookIs FeelAre TasteWas SmellWere SoundBe AppearBeing BecomeBeen Remain

Example: I am cool. (“am” links “I” to “cool”)

Helping VerbsA helping verb is a verb that “helps” the main verb express meaning. A helping verb with its main verb is called a verb phrase. There are 23 helping verbs.

Example: I am going to the store.

Helping verb Main verb

May Be Mr. Do

Should

Have A Will

May Be Do Should have Am will

Might Being Does Could Has Is shall

Must been Did would Had Are can

was

were

Verb Phrase Helping verb(s) + Main verb

Example: I am going to the store. (“am going” is the verb phrase)

Use the highlighter to highlight the verb phrases.

1. We have eaten the entire batch of cookies.

2. The show must end now.      

3. She might stop the video soon.       4. Wouldn't you eat all of that?        5. Sally will not bring her paper to school.      6. Bob should have passed this test      7. I may not redo the homework.        8. You will eat this entire thing!       9. This book might be too late.        10. The bottle could have floated across the lake.