VERBS

A verb is a word that expresses action or a state of being and is necessary to make a statement. The violinists begin. The flutist entered late. Rehearsals are important. The conductor seems enthusiastic.

Action Verbs An action verb tells what someone or something does. Some action verbs express physical action; others express mental action. Physical Action: The catcher often signals to the pitcher. Mental Action: A good catcher understands the batter’s technique.

Action Verbs A transitive verb is an action verb that is followed by a word or words that answer the question what? or whom? Cats see their prey in the dark. An intransitive verb is an action verb that is not followed by a word or words that answer the question what? or whom? Cats see well in the dark.

Linking Verbs A linking verb links or joins the subject of a sentence (often a noun or pronoun) with a word or expression that identifies or describes the subject. Be in all its forms – am, is, are, was, were- is the most commonly used linking verb. I am an athlete.The players are fast. Squash is an indoor sport. They were hockey fans.

Linking Verbs Several other verbs besides the forms of be can act as linking verbs. Other Linking Verbs Look remainseembecome Staygrowappearsound Tastesmellfeel If a verb can be replaced by a form of the verb be, it is probably used as a linking verb.

Verb Phrases The verb in a sentence may consist of more than one word. The words that accompany the main verb are called the auxiliary, or helping, verbs. A verb phrase consists of a main verb and all its auxiliary, or helping, verbs.

Verb Phrases Auxiliary Verbs Forms of Be: am, is, are, was, were, being, been Forms of Have: has, have, had Other Auxiliary Verbs: can, couldmay, mightmust do, does, didshall, should will, would

Verb Phrases The most common auxiliary verbs are the forms of be and have. They help the main verb express the various tenses. We are working in the yard. We have worked for the past two weeks. We had been working for an hour before the storm.

Verb Phrases The other auxiliary verbs are not used primarily to express time. They are often used to emphasize meaning. I should be leaving. Could he have finished? Luisa may already be waiting.