Verb Notes Parts of Speech
Basics A verb is a word used to express action, condition or a state of being. The two main categories of verbs are action verbs and linking verbs.
Action Verbs An action verb expresses an action. That action may be physical or mental. Physical Action: wince, create, gallop Mental Action: visualize, believe, know
Linking Verbs Judge Bianca is also a professor of law. A linking verb connects the subject with a word or words that identify or describe the subject. It can connect the subject with a noun, the predicate nominative. Example: Judge Bianca is also a professor of law. “Judge Bianca” links to “professor”
Linking Verbs A linking verb can also connect the subject to a pronoun or an adjective in the predicate. Examples: Michelle felt ill after the barbeque “Michelle” links to the adjective “ill” The decision remains his, and his alone. “decision” links to the pronoun “his”
Common Linking Verbs Forms of be: am, is, are, was, were, being, be, can be, may be, might be, will be, could be, would be, must be, has been, have been, had been, shall have been, could have been, would have been, will have been Other common linking verbs: appear, become, feel, grow, look, remain, seem, smell, sound, stay, taste, turn
Action vs. Linking Verb Used as an action verb Used as a linking verb We grew pumpkins in the fall. Used as a linking verb The laborer grew hungry. TIP: Is it a linking verb or an action verb? It’s a linking verb if it can be replaced by a form of the verb be and still make sense. Example: It sounds loud. It is loud.
Auxiliary Verbs Auxiliary verbs, also called helping verbs, help the main verb express action or make a statement. Auxiliary verbs help indicate voice, mood or tense. A verb phrase is made up of a main verb and one or more auxiliary verbs.
Common Auxiliary Verbs AM IS ARE WAS WERE BE BEING BEEN _____ DO DOES DID HAS HAVE HAD MAY MIGHT MUST SHALL SHOULD CAN COULD WILL WOULD
Auxiliary Verb Example The officers had been planning the raid for months. Aux. verbs Main verb