VerbsVerbsLike the sun, verbs are the energy of the sentence. They are often, but not

always found at the center of the sentence.

A sentence cannot exist without them.

Here are three Here are three kindskinds of of verbs you should know:verbs you should know:

Actio

n Ve

rbs Linking Verbs

Helping verbs

Main Verbs and Helping Verbs:Main Verbs and Helping Verbs:

• A verb phrase consists of at least one main verb and one or more helping verbs. A helping verb (also called an auxiliary verb) helps the main verb express action or a state of being.

is leaving

Besides of all forms of the verb be, the following verbs can be used as helping verbs:

• can

• could

• did

• do

• does

•had

•has

•have

•may

•might

•must

•shall

•should

•will

•would

Notice how the helping verbs work together with the main verbs to form

complete verb phrases.

• Would he like some help?

• You should have offered sooner.

• We shall probably be finished in an hour.

• She had always been thinking of her future.

• Has my sister played her new CD for you?

• She shouldn’t have borrowed that necklace.

Action Verbs vs. Linking VerbsAction Verbs vs. Linking VerbsAn action verb expresses either physical or mental action:

• The audience cheered the lead actors.• The children hoped for sunshine.

A linking verb connects the subject to a word or word group that identifies or describes the subject.

• The answer is correct.

• The winners are happy.

Linking Verbs:Linking Verbs:• The most commonly used linking verbs are

forms of the verb to be:

be shall be should bebeing will be would beam has been can beis have been could beare had been should have beenwas shall have been would have beenwere will have been could have been

Other frequently used linking Other frequently used linking verbs:verbs:

appear grow seem staybecome look smell tastefeel remain soundturn

LinkingLinking or or actionaction??• The wet dog smelled horrible.• The dog smelled the baked bread.• The chef tasted the casserole.• The casserole tasted strange.

more practice…more practice…Even be is not always a linking verb. Sometimes be expresses a state of being and is followed only by an adverb.

• I was there.

To be a linking verb, the verb must be followed by a subject complement—a nounnoun or a pronounpronoun that names the subject or an adjectiveadjective that describes the subject.

Subject Complements…Subject Complements…(wouldn’t exist without linking verbs)

• She is my cousin.

• This chocolate smells wonderful.

• This tadpole will become a frog.

• The captain could be she.

• Is she talented?

• The players looked tired and dirty.

• Alvin has grown very tall.

Transitive VerbsTransitive VerbsA transitive verb is a verb that expresses an action directed toward a person, place or thing. The action passes from the doer – the subject - to the receiver of the action. Words that receive the action of a transitive verb are called objects.

• Jon mailed the package.• When will Neil ring the bell?

Intransitive VerbsIntransitive Verbs• An intransitive verb expresses action (or tells

something about the subject) without the action passing to a receiver, or object.

• Last Saturday we stayed inside.• The children ate quickly.• The crowd cheered.• When she told her story, my, how we laughed!

Transitive or Intransitive?Transitive or Intransitive?• Carrie waved her arm.

• Carrie waved quickly.

• The plane landed on the runway.

• She lifted the box.

• Does Sheila write poetry?

• Should we value your judgment?

• The speaker arrived late.

Can you make sentences for the following patterns?

What kind of verb is this?

What kind of verb is this?