VERBS
HELPING
LINKING
ACTION
What is a Verb?
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A verb is a word that expresses action
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OR a state of being.
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There are 3 different kinds of verbs: Action, Linking, and Helping.
Every sentence needs a verb.
Verbs tell us what someone or something is doing.
Verbs help connect us to the state, or condition, of someone or
something.
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Action Verbs
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This is the easy one! Most students have
already been taught that verbs are “action”
words. An action can be physical or mental.
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Examples
PHYSICAL ACTIONS
Run
Swim
Speak
Move
Cheer
Jump
Breathe
Eat
Kick
Clap
MENTAL ACTIONS
Think
Wonder
Dream Imagine
Ponder Forget
Remember
Believe
Linking Verbs
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Linking verbs connect nouns or pronouns
(people, places, things, and ideas) to words
that describe, label, or identify them.
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Without linking verbs, there would be lots of “baby
talk” going on. (I hungry! She scary! Carrots yucky!)
Most linking verbs are a form of the verb be.
Examples: is, are, was, were, am, will be, can be,
have been, has been
WAS
She
ARE
nice.
Cookies
IS
AM
I
delicious.
thirsty.
Mrs. Jacobo
a teacher.
Helping Verbs
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Helping Verbs help the main verb express an action or a
state of being.
Common Helping Verbs
Am
Are
Be
Been
Can
Did
Had
Has
Do
Is
May
Might
Have
Should
Was
Will
Remember:
Helping
Verbs are
Team
Players!!
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Usually the helping verb is right next to the main verb, but
sometimes they are separated.
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Examples (Helping Verb/Main Verb):
 Your friends should not call you late at night.
 You will study for hours before each test.
 Sally Sue can speak in front of the class.
 Did your teacher grade your paper yet?
TIPS
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When looking for the verb in a sentence, ask
yourself:
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Is a physical action being done?
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Is a mental action being done?
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Is someone or something being described? If so,
look for a linking verb.
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Is there a helping verb next to the main verb?
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Is there a helping verb somewhere else in the
sentence?
Practice Time!
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Identify the verb(s) in each sentence.
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My sister will bother me until I help her.
My sister will bother me until I help her.
School is challenging and exciting.
School is challenging and exciting.
Did you eat all of your vegetables?
Did you eat all of your vegetables?
I wonder if I will make the soccer team.
I wonder if I will make the soccer team.
I am a TBMS student.
I am a TBMS student.
He ran home and told his parents the news.
He ran home and told his parents the news.