Action, Linking, and Helping Verbs Action, Linking, and Helping

Definition A verb is a word that expresses action or a state of being. There are three types: Action verbs, helping verbs, and linking verbs.

Action Verbs -words that express action -something that a noun can do. Examples: dance, sing, paint, giggle, chew

Action Verb Examples 1. Clyde sneezes with the force of a tornado. Sneezing is something that Clyde can do. 2. Because Ricky earned an A on his test, he skipped through the halls the rest of the day. Earning and skipping are things that Ricky can do.

Helping Verbs -words that help the main verb express an action -placed BEFORE the action verb to form a verb phrase Helping verbs “help” to state an action more exactly or to point out the time (tense) of an action. am, are, be, been, being, can, could, did, do, does, had, has, have, is, may, might, must, shall, should, was, were, will, would

Helping Verb Examples Notice how the addition of the helping verbs changes the meaning of the following sentence, making it more specific. He counts the money. (action verb only) He will count the money. (action verb with helping verb will) He might have been counting the money. (action verb with multiple helping verbs)

Helping Verbs Song!

Linking Verbs -words that show a state of being -describe the subject by linking it to a noun or adjective in the sentence The most frequently used linking verb is the verb “to be.” (am, is, are, was, were) Other linking verbs include: feel, seem, prove, look, taste, appear, become, smell, and grow.

Linking Verb Examples Mary is my sister. The linking verb is is linking the noun “Mary” to the noun “sister” The stars seem brighter tonight. The linking verb seem is linking the noun “stars” to the adjective “brighter” I was happy and carefree. The linking verb was is linking the noun “I” to the adjective “happy”

Used as an action (main) verb Be careful!! The following helping verbs can also be linking verbs or action verbs.. Verb Forms Used as linking verb Used as helping verb Used as an action (main) verb to be is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been The office was large and noisy. I am hungry. He was given a promotion. I am going home soon. to have have, has, had We have finished the work We have several letters to type. to do do, does, did Do you drive a sports car? We do our sorting at these tables.

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