Verbs are words that tell what people or things do, what happens to them or to give information about them.
Every sentence and clause must have a verb.
1. Active Verbs
Active verbs express or describe action. So, here are two rules about active verbs:
2. State of Being Verbs
State of being verbs do not express action. They are linking verbs. The main purpose of this verb is to serve as a link that joins the subject to a word in the predicate that adds meaning to the subject.
be Present Tense
First Person singular I am
Second Person Singular You are
Third Person Singular He/she/it is
First Person Plural
Second Person Plural
Third Person Plural
We are
You are
They are
Past Tense
I was
You were
He/she/it was
We were
You were
They were
Future Tense Add
‘shall’ or ‘will’
I will be
You will be
He/she/it will be
We shall shall
You will be
They will will
3. Verbs acting as linking verbs
Some verbs act like the verb ‘be’ because they serve a linking function. These verbs can also act as action verbs. appear become feel grow keep lookprove
remain seem smell sound stay taste turn
Examples: Linking Verbs

The cookies are delicious. (‘Are’ is a linking verb. It links the subject ‘cookies’ to the predicate adjective
‘delicious’.)
The cookies taste sweet. (‘Taste’ is a linking verb. It links the subject ‘cookies’ to the predicate adjective
‘sweet’.)
My forehead feels hot. (‘Feels’ is a linking verb. It links the subject ‘forehead’ to the predicate adjective ‘hot’.)
Examples: Linking verbs acting as action verbs
I smell smoke. (’Smell’ is an action verb and ‘smoke’ is the object. It explains what I smell.)
Mrs. Jones grows vegetables in her garden. (.‘Grows’ is an action verb and ‘vegetables’ is the object. It explains what Mrs. Jones grows.)
Write the verbs in the correct column to indicate whether they are active verbs or state ofbeing verbs.
1. The young couple was excited about going on a cruise.
Active State of being
2. They arrived late yesterday because they drove slowly through the storm.
Active State of being
3. You are old enough to travel alone now that you are a teenager.
Active State of being
Active State of being

4. The chef was exhausted because he cooked all day.
Active State of being
5. When the chef prepares the food, it is always delicious.
Active State of being
6. Chefs prepare food carefully so that people do not get sick.
Active State of being
7. Many students who study food science are men.
Active State of being
8. Anne was never a very confident cook until she took a chef training course.
Active State of being
9. Doctors recommend a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Active State of being

10. I am on a high fiber, low fat diet. I follow it faithfully.
Active State of being
11. I inquired about the electricity bill many times before the company corrected it.
Active State of being
12. Our neighbors are worried about drinking water from the well.
Active State of being
13. The doctor is concerned about Bill’s fractured leg.
Active State of being
14. You have finished your workday before I am out of bed.
Active State of being
15. The workmen completed the foundation before winter set in.
Active State of being

16. Mother is older but more active than her younger sister (is).
Active State of being
17. Jane decided not to adopt a pet right now because she is rarely at home.
Active State of being
18. We follow the water safety rules carefully when we drive the boat.
Active State of being
19. The Norman Rockwell Exhibition is at the local art gallery.
Active State of being
20. His paintings depict many aspects of everyday events and are cherished by many admirers.
Active State of being

Verbs – Active and State of Being
1. The young couple was excited about going on a cruise.
Answer: were – state of being
2. They arrived late yesterday because they drove slowly through the storm.
Answer: arrived – active drove – active
3. You are old enough to travel alone now that you are a teenager.
Answer: are – state of being are – state of being
4. The chef was exhausted because he cooked all day.
Answer: was – state of being cooked – active
5. When the chef prepares the food, it is always delicious.
Answer: is – state of being prepares – active
6. Chefs prepare food carefully so that people do not get sick.
Answer: prepare – active get- active
7. Many students who study food science are men.
Answer: are – state of being study –active
8. Anne was never a very confident cook until she took a chef training course. was – state of being took- active
9. Doctors recommend a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Answer: recommend – active

10. I am on a high fiber, low fat diet. I follow it faithfully.
Answer: am – state of being follow – active
11. I inquired about the electricity bill many times before the company corrected it.
Answer: inquired – active corrected – active
12. Our neighbors are worried about drinking water from the well.
Answer: are – state of being
13. The doctor is concerned about Bill’s fractured leg.
Answer: is – – state of being
14. You have finished your workday before I am out of bed.
Answer: have finished – active am – state of being
15. The workmen completed the foundation before winter set in.
Answer: completed – active set – active
16. Mother is older but more active than her younger sister (is).
Answer: is – state of being
(is) – state of being
17. Jane decided not to adopt a pet right now because she is rarely at home.
Answer: decided – active is – state of being
18. We follow the water safety rules carefully when we drive the boat.
Answer: follow – active drive – active
19. The Norman Rockwell Exhibition is at the local art gallery.
Answer: is – state of being
20. His paintings depict many aspects of everyday events and are cherished by many admirers.

Answer: depict – active are cherished – active