VERB NOTES
(Verbs, Verb Phrases)
A verb expresses action or state of being.
An action verb tells what the subject of the sentence does.
Ex:
In the morning, I brush my teeth and wash my face.
I eat dinner at six o’clock.
A linking verb/state of being verb does not show action.
Ex: We were at the store for an hour.
You are in sixth grade.
A verb phrase is made up of a helping verb and a main verb. The last word in
a verb phrase is the main verb, and the other words are called helping verbs.
Ex: Cesar and Ruth are going to soccer practice after school.
main verb=going helping verb=are
Ex: The judge should have announced the winner.
Main verb = announced
helping = should, have
Common Helping/Auxiliary Verbs
am
is
are
was
were
be
being
been
do
does
did
have
has
had
can
may
must might
will would
shall should
could
Usually when auxiliaries are used in questions, the main verb and its
auxiliaries may be separated by the subject of the sentence.
Examples: Should we eat dinner now?
Will you go to school next Monday?
Who would like more macaroni and cheese?
More on Linking Verbs
Verbs called being verbs or linking verbs do not show action. Instead they
show what the subject is or is like. Because of this we say linking verbs
show state-of-being. These linking verbs link the subject of the sentence
with a word in the predicate that tells more about it.
The dog seems hungry.
You become 7th graders later this year.
Common Linking Verbs
am
was
be
become
is
were being
look
are
seem been
appear
feel
taste
smell
If you’re really observant you might have noticed that many of the linking
verbs are also on the helping verb list. You might ask, “So, what is the
difference between a helping verb and a linking verb?”
Big Answer:
Helping verbs are always part of a verb phrase which help to form the
tense of the main verb. A linking verb/state of being verb connects or links a subject to a
noun or an adjective in the predicate. 
Sentence w/helping verbs: Carmen will be practicing all afternoon.
verb phrase= will be practicing
main verb= practicing
Sentence w/linking verb: Mom appeared sad today.
linking verb=appeared – links mom to the adjective sad
Sentence w/linking verb: He is a police officer.
linking verb=is – links he to the noun officer.
helping verbs=will be