Verbs, Verbs, Verbs
Action Verbs
Linking Verbs
Transitive/Intransitive Verbs
Verbs
‘I Cans’ and Essential Questions
• ‘I Cans’
• Use verbs (perfect tenses, transitive and intransitive, and linking verbs)
in my writing.
• Explain why a writer chooses a particular verb(s) in their writing.
• Identify different types of verbs when given the opportunity.
• Essential Questions
• Why is it important to understand proper verb usage in my (and other’s)
writing?
• How am I going to incorporate what I’ve learned about verbs in my
writing to effectively communicate my ideas?
Two Types of verbs
There are ONLY two types of verbs on
the planet. They are:
– Action
– Linking
And then we go from there...
All real verbs are either action
or linking. There are other
“verby” things (auxiliary and
helping verbs,), but they are not
true verbs. We will discuss
these later.
Action Verbs
Action Verbs
• express either mental or physical activity
• The dogs barked all day.
• He thought about the day.
Action Verbs
• may be transitive or intransitive
• more on these later!
Linking Verbs
Linking Verbs
• express a state of being
• connect (or link) the subject to a word or word
group that identifies or describes the subject
My teacher is eccentric!
Linking Verbs
• Never have objects
• Are ALWAYS intransitive
• More on this later…
Action or Linking Verb?
•John
John looked tired.
• John looked through the binoculars.
John
Action or Linking Verb?
•Remain
Remain in your seats until the end of
class.
• Remain calm.
Remain
Handy Tip for Linking Verbs
• Linking verbs are like the equal signs of
language. (=)
• Any verb that can be replaced with is, am, are,
be, become, or becomes to create a sentence
with nearly the same meaning is a linking
verb.
Action or Linking Verb? Your Turn!
• Any verb that can be replaced with is, am, are,
be, become, or becomes to create a sentence
with nearly the same meaning is a linking
verb.
• The sky looks blue.
• I walked home.
• Our teacher seemed eccentric.
Auxiliary/Helping “Verbs”
“auxiliary” just means “helping”
WARNING: Auxiliary verbs do not
function as verbs. They HELP the main
verb.
Auxiliary/Helping Verbs
(sing to the tune of “Jingle Bells” for
a handy mnemonic device!)
•
•
•
•
•
•
be
am
is
are
was
were
been
being
has
have
had
do
did
does
can
could
shall
will
would
should
may
might
must
Auxiliary/Helping Verbs
• help the main verb express action or a state
of being
•
•
•
•
can speak
may be
has been named
should have been caught
Auxiliary Verbs
Verb Phrase
• A verb phrase has one main verb and
one or more auxiliary verbs
• Many people in Africa can speak more
than one language.
• The packages may be at 401 Maple
Street.
Verb Phrase “Math”
• auxiliary verb(s) + main verb = verb phrase
• There may be more than one auxiliary verb in a
verb phrase. There is only one main verb in a
verb phrase. It is always the LAST WORD in the
verb phrase. The main verb is either action
(speak, named, caught) or linking (be).
•can speak •has been named
•may be
•should have been caught
Auxiliary Verb or Main Verb?
The highlighted words can function as main verbs or auxiliary
verbs. Can you tell which job each is doing?
I am a teacher.
I am writing a letter.
We are hungry.
The girls are playing ball.
Auxiliary Verb or Main Verb? Your Turn!
•
Make your own examples using each of these
words in two ways: 1) as a main verb and 2) as an
auxiliary verb in a verb phrase.
• was
• does
Handy Tip for Verb Phrases
• Sometimes a verb phrase is interrupted by
another part of speech, like an adverb. In a
question, the subject often interrupts the verb
phrase.
• Our school has always held a victory
celebration when our team wins.
• Did you hear Jamie Foxx’s speech?
Transitive and Intransitive
It’s all about transfer of action to an
object.
Handy Tip
• Since transitive/intransitive verbs
deal with whether or not action
passes from the subject to an object,
always start with labeling the subject
and verb in the sentence.
Transitive Verbs
• express an action directed toward a person, a place,
a thing, or an idea (nouns)
• The action passes from the doer (the subject) to the
receiver of the action.
• The words that receive the action of transitive verbs
 direct objects  always nouns
• Transitive verbs can only be action verbs. Linking
verbs are NEVER transitive.
Transitive Verbs: Examples
• Derrick greeted the visitors.
– Derrick greeted whom? The action (greeted)
passes from the subject (Derrick) to the object
(visitors).
• When will Felicia paint her room?
– Felicia will paint what? The action (will paint)
passes from the subject (Felicia) to the object
(room).
Intransitive Verbs
• Express action or tell something about the
subject without the action passing to a
receiver, or object
• Intransitive verbs may be either action or
linking verbs.
Intransitive Verbs: Examples
• The train stopped.
– The train stopped what? There is nothing in the
sentence to say what the train stopped (i.e., there
is no object). There is no transfer of action.
• Last night we ate on the patio.
– We ate what? There is nothing in the sentence to
say what we ate (i.e., there is no object). We did
not eat some “on the patio.” This is a prepositional
phrase telling where we ate, not what. There is no
transfer of action.
Transitive or Intransitive? Your Turn!
1) Label subject & verb. 2) Is the verb action or linking? If linking, it cannot be
transitive. If action, go on to step 3. 3) Say, “Subject, verb WHAT?” If there is a
noun that receives the action, it is transitive.
• The children play checkers.
• The children play quietly.
• Mr. Lopez is baking bread.
• Mr. Lopez is baking this afternoon.
Transitive or Intransitive? Your Turn!
1.) Label the subjects and verbs in these sentences.
2.)Tell whether the verbs are transitive or intransitive.
• Melanie ate a baked potato.
• Hector and Tom are reading.
• They painted the house.
• Did you carry his suitcase?
• My plant grows quickly.