Parts of Speech

VerbsObjectives:

1. To distinguish among action verbs, linking verbs, and transitive and intransitive verbs

2. To identify verb phrases

3. To use verb forms correctly in writing

Part Definition ExampleNoun A person, place, thing, or idea. Under the clouds, we felt like fish swimming in suntan oil.

Pronoun A word that takes the place of one or more nouns

Electra thought that her tattoo was larger than she expected.

Verb A word or phrase that expresses action or a state of being

The movie starts at 9:00. (action)

The movie is terrible. (being)

1. Action Verbs

• Tells what action the subject of a sentence is performing

• Most verbs are action verbs

1. Action Verbs

Show physical action:

Kim Lee shouted a warning to his friends.

Chuck mailed cartons of food.

Toby and Serena volunteer at the local animal shelter.

1. Action Verbs

Show mental action or ownership:

I always remember your birthday.

Jerry had his snowboard gear in the car.

Elfanso forgot it was Tuesday.

2. Verb Phrases• A main verb plus one or more helping

verbsCommon Helping Verbs

be am, is are, was, were, be, being, been

have has, have, had

do do, does, did

Other helping verbs

may, might,must, can, could, shall, should, will, would

2. Verb PhrasesThe police have reopened the missing

persons case.

CSI investigators do not overlook any evidence (can be separated by other words).

My car does’nt handle easily in the snow (the word not and its contraction n’t are never part of the verb phrase).

2. Linking Verbs• Links the subject with another word in the

sentence• The other word either names or described

the subject

Sally Ride was [the first American woman] in space.

You would be [amazed] how hard astronaut training is.

2. Linking Verbs• Common forms of Be

be will be has been

being can be had been

is could be could have been

am should be should have been

are would be would have been

was may be may have been

were might be might have been

been must be must have been

shall be have been

2. Linking Verbs• Additional Linking Verbs

**most of these may also be used as action verbs**

appear feel look seem sound taste

become grow remain smell stay turn