Study Guide for Verbs
2/24/15
Verbs
 An action verb tells what the subject is doing.
 A linking verb tells us ABOUT the subject. It does not
show action.
 A main verb shows action.
 A helping verb shows the time of the action.
 A main verb and a helping verb belong together!!!
Verbs
 Look at the underlined verb in each sentence. Tell
whether the verb is a helping verb or a main verb.
1. The land was covered with trees.
2. The people created beautiful copper shields.
3. The man are paddling the canoes up the river.
4. They have painted colorful designs on the wood.
Verbs
 Find each verb in the sentences. Tell whether it is a
linking verb or an action verb.
1. Some flowers grow from bulbs.
2. Gardeners plant some bulbs in the fall.
3. They are annuals.
4. My favorite annual is a snapdragon.
5. It has many little blossoms.
6. Other flowers start as seeds.
Verb Tenses
 Verbs can show when an action happens. This is called
tense. Different verb tenses have different forms. Many
present tense verbs end in –s. Form the past tense of
many verbs by adding –ed. Add the helping verb will
to a verb to show future tense.
Verbs
 Choose the correct verb to complete each sentence.
Many different kinds of whales (lived, live) in the
oceans. (Present)
2. The gentle waves (carry, carried) the whales with
them. (Past)
3. Many humpback whales (stay, will stay) near the
coast. (future)
1.