VERBS!!
DEFINITION
• Word that expresses action or a state of being
• Is necessary to make a statement
• Primary characteristic of a verb is its ability to
express time
– Verbs express time by means of tense forms (past,
present, future tense)
– Present Tense: They watch the race.
– Past Tense: They watched the race.
– Future Tense: They will watch the race.
ActionVerbs
• Tells what someone or something did
• Action verbs express physical and mental
actions.
• Examples:
– Physical Action: Ted waved the signal flag.
– Mental Action: Meredith hoped for success.
Verbs that Show State of Being
• Called “Linking Verbs”
• Links or joins subject of a sentence with a noun,
pronoun or adjective that identifies or describes
the subject.
• Most common linking verbs:
– The verb “Be” in all its forms:
– Am, Is, Are, Be, Was, Were
• Examples: Archery is an outdoor sport. I am
ready. He was in fifth grade last year.
Linking Verbs
• Other Verbs that Can be Linking Verbs
• Appear, Become, Continue, Feel, Grow, Look,
Remain, Seem, Smell, Sound and Taste
• Examples:
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This salad tastes good.
The sun feels warm.
You look comfortable.
The first novel in the series remains my favorite.
Verb Phrases
• A verb in a sentence may consist of more than
one word.
• Words that accompany the main verb are called
auxiliary or helping verbs.
• A verb phrase is the main verb and its auxiliary
verb
• Auxiliary verbs help the main verb
– Express time OR
– Emphasize meaning
Linking Verbs Expressing Time
• Help form various tenses
– Example:
• We will weed the vegetable garden later. (future)
• Sandra has weeded the peppers and tomatoes.
(past)
• John is weeding the garden now. (present)
Linking Verbs Emphasize Meaning
• The following auxiliary verbs help emphasize
meaning:
– Can/could; may/might; do/does/did; shall/should;
will/would; must
• Example:
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I should be leaving now.
Could Andy have forgotten our appointment?
Marisa may be finished.
You might want to call home before you leave.