VerbsJust Do It

Verb DefinedA verb is a word that expresses…

AN ACTION - Joey punched Sal in the face.

A CONDITION - I feel pretty awful right now.

A STATE OF BEING - I am thrilled at your news!

Two Categories Two main categories of verbs

1. Action verbs

2. Linking verbs

Action Verbs Action verbs tell what

action someone or something is doing The action can be physical or mental.

Action Verbs MENTAL

“Mr. Johnson thinks most of us are ready to take this test.”

PHYSICAL “We worked hard on the grammar

homework.”

Linking VerbsA linking verb does

not express action like we think of “action”

It links the subject of a sentence to a word in the predicate

Linking Verbs “School is the best

part of my life.” (cough, cough, cough)

“Sophie looks miserable when we study grammar.”

Linking Verbs – 2 types Forms of the verb “to be”

“I am happy.” “My shoes are wet.”

Verbs that express condition “Everyone looks bored with

grammar.” “Most of you seem intelligent.”

The Linking Verbs “to be” verbs

is

are

am

was

were

been

being

Verbs that express condition

seem remainbecome grow

smell tastefeel soundlook appear

Linking or Action?BE CAREFUL: The same verb can be linking or

action, depending how it is used Action

“The cook tastes the fish before serving it.”

Linking “This fish tastes delicious.”

Be Careful! Infinitives are NOT verbs

BE CAREFUL: An infinitive (the word “to” followed by a verb), is NOT a verb

I am going to go to the store.How hard is it to operate this

computer?It is hard to feel bad for criminals.

Helping VerbsOther things to keep in mind: •Not every sentence will have a helping verb with the main verb.

•When you see an "ing" verb such as "running", be on the lookout for a helping verb also.

Verb Phrases

Action and linking verbs are sometimes combined with one or more auxiliary

verbs -- also called helping verbs -- to form a verb phrase.

“We are going on vacation.”

Now get this straight! I’m going to say it once….

Verb phrases are VERBS!You got it?!!

Auxiliary Verbs

“Mrs. Felipe’s students should understand nouns and pronouns by now.”

“Cam has been questioned hot a lot today.”

Auxiliary verbs

Main verbs

Auxiliary Verbs The most common auxiliary

verbs are forms of… be (am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being)

have (have, has, had)

do (do, does, did)

Auxiliary Verbs Other common auxiliaries…

can shallcould willshould maywould might

must

Verb PhrasesVerb phrases are formed by the combination

of one or more auxiliary (helping) verbs and a main verb

The coach was shouting at Nate all day long.

NateCoach

Verb PhrasesAuxiliary Verb Main Verb Verb Phrase

had been had been

have had have had

was doing was doing

could have helped could have helped

might have been seen might have been seen

is being repaired is being repaired

Verb Phrases

Be careful!!

Auxiliary verb(s) and the main verb may be separated by one or more words that are not part of the verb phrase.

Verb Phrases-Separated“Jenna could not believe her brother would not let her borrow his ipod.”

“Your parents will never forgive you when I call home to tell them what you did in class.”

“Our coach might not have been kidding when he hinted at a tough workout tomorrow.”

The underlined words are NOT verbs and are not part of these verb phrases

Verb Phrases-Contractions

BE CAREFUL - Contractions like “couldn’t” and

“shouldn’t” and “can’t” frequently HIDE

auxiliary verbs and make verb phrases hard

to find

Verb Phrases-Contractions

Sentence with contractions“You shouldn’t come to practice today if you’re feeling that badly.”Same sentence with contractions written out“You should not come to practice today if you are feeling that badly.”Same sentence with verb phrases underlined“You should not come to practice today if you are feeling that badly.”

Noun or Verb?There are many words that can be used as nouns or verbs. Be on your little Sponge Bob toes!

“Our club is in good shape financially.” (noun)

“Shape up or get out!” (verb)

Be careful kids!!

Let’s Review!

• Action Verbs• Linking Verbs• Helping/Main

Verbs

There are different types of verbs. Some

show action, and some don’t.

An action verb shows action. It

tells what the subject of the

sentence does.

Action Verbs

Bill hit the ball.The cat purred

softly.I walk to school.

Susan spoke to me.

A linking verb links, or

connects, the subject to the predicate. It

does not show action.

Common Linking Verbs

am is are waswere be beenseems feels

tastes

Linking Verbs

We are hungry.He was late to

school.The winner is

Johnny.The rose smells

good.

A helping verb helps a main

verb. The helping verb comes before the main verb.

Helping/Main Verbs

I am eating my lunch.

Ed has taken the test.

We were talking.

Practice TimeIn the following sentences, see

if you can identify the

verb.

Ready?Let’s get started!

They are watching

television.

They are watching

television.

Verb: are watching

They are watching

television.

Verb: are watchingType: helping/main

Frank was tired after work.

Frank was tired after work.

Verb: was

Frank was tired after work.

Verb: wasType: linking verb

My dad drove his car to the store.

My dad drove his car to the store.

Verb: drove

My dad drove his car to the store.

Verb: droveType: action verb

Finding Nemo is her favorite

movie.

Finding Nemo is her favorite

movie.

Verb: is

Finding Nemo is her favorite

movie.

Verb: isType: linking verb

I did my homework right

after school.

I did my homework right

after school.

Verb: did

I did my homework right

after school.

Verb: didType: action verb

Ann was cooking dinner in the

kitchen.

Ann was cooking dinner in the

kitchen.

Verb: was cooking

Ann was cooking dinner in the

kitchen.

Verb: was cookingType: helping/main

The boys were playing in the

park.

The boys were playing in the

park.

Verb: were playing

The boys were playing in the

park.

Verb: were playingType: helping/main

Sarah competed in the track meet.

Sarah competed in the track meet.

Verb: competed

Sarah competed in the track meet.

Verb: competedType: action verb

The ocean water tastes salty.

The ocean water tastes salty.

Verb: tastes

The ocean water tastes salty.

Verb: tastesType: linking verb

Thomas raised his hand.

Thomas raised his hand.

Verb: raised

Thomas raised his hand.

Verb: raisedType: action verb

The teacher answered his

question.

The teacher answered his

question.

Verb: answered

The teacher answered his

question.

Verb: answeredType: action verb

Randy is studying for his grammar

test.

Randy is studying for his grammar

test.

Verb: is studying

Randy is studying for his grammar

test.

Verb: is studyingType: helping/main

They will be late to the party.

They will be late to the party.

Verb: will be

They will be late to the party.

Verb: will beType: linking verb

I am thirsty after all that running.

I am thirsty after all that running.

Verb: am

I am thirsty after all that running.

Verb: amType: linking verb

We have learned a lot about verbs.

We have learned a lot about verbs.

Verb: have learned

We have learned a lot about verbs.

Verb: have learnedType: helping/main

Great job!