VERBS

A verb is a word or group of words that expresses time while showing an action, a
condition, or the fact that something exists.

Action Verbs and Linking Verbs

An action verb is a verb that tells what action someone or something is performing.
ACTION VERBS: The art students are learning about perspective.
Iksu dances.
A linking verb is a verb that connects its subject with a word generally found near the
end of the sentence.
LINKING VERBS: Mark is my tutor.
The class should be exciting.
THE FORMS OF BE
am am being can be have been
are are being could be has been
is is being may be had been
was was being might be could have been
were were being must be may have been
shall be might have been
should be must have been
will be should have been
would be will have been
would have been
OTHER LINKING VERBS
appear look sound
become remain stay
feel seem taste
grow smell turn
EXAMPLES: The sheets smelled fresh and clean.
The driver stayed alert.
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
An action verb is transitive if it directs action towards someone or something named in
the same sentence.
An action verb is intransitive if it does not direct action toward someone or something
named in the sentence.
OBJ
TRANSITIVE: The outfielder caught the ball. (Caught what? Answer: ball)
OBJ
We ate the cake. (Ate what? Answer: cake)
INTRANSITIVE: Mark slept in the room. (Slept what? Answer: none)
The little child shouted loudly. (Shouted what? Answer: none)
EXERCISE: Identifying Transitive and Intransitive Verbs. Write the verbs, labeling
each as transitive or intransitive.
EXAMPLE: We heard the news bulletin this morning.
heard (transitive)
1. The townspeople took a siesta each afternoon.
2. For a few extra dollars each week, she ironed clothes.
3. The mother smiled at the infant in her arms.
4. The boy sings well.
5. The crew ate lunch under an old oak tree.
6. We purchased tickets for the play The Elephant Man.
7. The tent collapsed from the high winds.
8. Our neighbors continually complain about our dog.
9. With reluctance, he swallowed the medicine.
10. Time stretched before us.

Verb Phrases
A verb phrase is a verb that has more than one word.
Helping verbs are verbs that can be added to another verb to make a single verb verb
phrase.
SINGLE VERB: I wrote a song today.
VERB PHRASES: I will write a song today.
I should have written a song today.
This song might have been written by me.
HELPING VERBS OTHER THAN BE
do have shall can
does has should could
did had will may
would might
must
EXERCISE: Writing Sentences with Different Kinds of Verbs. Write a sentence of
your own using the verbs given in the form indicated in parentheses.
EXAMPLE: seem (as a linking verb)
The bridge seemed safe.
1. look (as an action word)
2. look (as a linking verb)
3. rest (as a transitive verb)
4. rest ( as an intransitive verb)
5. help (with a helping verb)