Introduction
to Verbs
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Middle School Novel Units Inc
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Length: Approximately 16 minutes
An action verb is a word that shows
action.
In other words, it is what the
subject
of a sentence “did” or “is doing”
Example:
Olivia eats popcorn every day for
snack.
“Olivia” is the subject of the
sentence.
What does Olivia “do”?
She “eats.” Therefore, eats is the
action verb.
Other examples of verbs:
need, clean, visit, stay, loves, know,
work, move
Verbs often end with the suffixes,
“ing” and “ed.”
Examples:
cleaning, visiting, staying, working,
continued, moved
Pay attention as I identify the
action verbs from the following
sentences. Remember, an action
verb is what the subject of a
sentence “did” or “is doing.”
1. Noah taught himself to read by
playing on a software program
on the computer.
1. Noah taught himself to read by
playing on a software program
on the computer.
2. Anthony runs track for his school.
2. Anthony runs track for his school.
3. Aiden worked at a donut shop for
almost 6 months.
3. Aiden worked at a donut shop for
almost 6 months.
A helping verb “helps” the main
verb to express its meaning.
A helping verb and a main verb
make up a verb phrase.
Examples:
Adrian is watching car races on
television.
The helping verb “is” is helping the
main verb “watching” to express
what Adrian is doing.
More examples:
School will start in the middle of
August this year.
I am eating a ham sandwich for
lunch.
The helping verbs are will and am.
Most common helping verbs:
have, has, had,
is, are, am,
was, were,
do, does, did
Pay attention as I identify the
helping verbs from the following
sentences. Remember, a helping
verb “helps” the main verb to
express its meaning.
1. In the spring, the meadow is
blooming with flowers.
1. In the spring, the meadow is
blooming with flowers.
2. Emily was looking for her new
shoes.
2. Emily was looking for her new
shoes.
3. It looks like it will snow today.
3. It looks like it will snow today.
Verb Tenses
The verb tense tells whether the
action of the sentence takes place in
the present, in the past, or in the
future.
Present tense verbs tell that the
action is taking place right now.
Example:
Jeremiah is playing the drums in a
band.
More examples of present tense
verbs:
Her sister continues to work at the
donut shop while going to school.
Chloe's friend has a new black sports
car.
Pay attention as I change the
following verbs into present tense
verbs. Remember, present tense
verbs tell that the action is taking
place right now.
1. Jordan will give piano lessons.
1. Jordan is giving piano lessons.
2. Charlotte ate spaghetti for dinner.
2. Charlotte is eating spaghetti for
dinner.
3. Aubrey continued to work for her
family's restaurant while attending
college.
3. Aubrey continues to work for her
family's restaurant while attending
college.
Past tense verbs tell that the action
has already taken place.
Example:
Ben hopped out of bed and quickly
dressed for school.
More examples of past tense verbs:
Scott wondered if he should call and
check on his mother.
Sam swallowed nervously as his
father walked into the room.
Pay attention as I change the
following verbs into past tense.
Remember, past tense verbs tell
that the action already took place.
1. Robert and Jeremiah will work all
summer.
1. Robert and Jeremiah worked all
summer.
2. Julian will live there for 3 months.
2. Julian lived there for 3 months.
3. Julian and Claire teach piano
lessons to young children.
3. Julian and Claire taught piano
lessons to young children.
Future tense verbs tell that the
action will take place in the future.
Example:
We will move to a new
neighborhood this
summer.
More examples of future tense
verbs:
Mom said she will put a stop to
Craig’s bad behavior.
Evan will be covered in mud after he
finishes playing outside during the
rain.
Pay attention as I change the
following verbs into future tense.
Remember, future tense verbs tell
that the action will take place
sometime later.
1. They cooked the pizza on a wood
stove.
1. They will cook the pizza on a
wood stove.
2. Carl ate a big dinner on his
birthday.
2. Carl will eat a big dinner on his
birthday.
3. Sarah and Tom went to see a
scary movie on Friday night.
3. Sarah and Tom will go to see a
scary movie on Friday night.