Verb Notes
What four things must a complete sentence have?
1. subject
2. verb (predicate)
3. begin with a capital letter
4. end punctuation
Diagramming a sentence – SUBJECT + VERB (predicate)
Diagram this example:
Joe ran to the school bus.
Definition: A verb is a word that expresses action or state of being.
An action verb can express physical or mental action.
Example:
Physical
Mental
jump
yell
carry
think
imagine
believe
A linking verb helps to make a statement by acting like a “link” between the
subject and a word in the predicate (nouns or adjectives).
Diagram these examples:
My name is Joe.
Ms. Dengos became a science teacher.
Forms of the verb “to be” are verbs most commonly used as linking verbs.
am
be
is
being
are
been
was
were
Several other verbs are often used as linking verbs:
sound
appear
stay
feel
become
taste
seem
look
grow
smell
remain
BE CAREFUL because some verbs can act as action or linking verbs depending
how they are used.
Linking verb: The dog looked tame.
Action verb: The dog looked for its bone.
VERBS CAN BE MORE THAN ONE WORD!
A helping verb is a verb that helps the main verb show action or make a statement.
It can also help to show past, present, or future tense.
The main verb is often accompanied by helping verbs. The main verb and the
helping verb make up a verb phrase.
Diagram these examples:
Joe has been running for miles.
Main verb: running
Helping verbs: has, been
Verb phrase: has been running
We are going to Boston for dinner.
Main verb: going
Helping verb: are
Verb phrase: are going