Verbs Guided Notes

Verbs A word that expresses action or otherwise helps to make a statement. The verb gives the sentence meaning by saying something about the subject. Notice the verbs in these sentences: I like homemade cookies. Are alligators reptiles? The kids ran out the door after the last bell rang yesterday.

Action Verbs A verb that shows mental or physical action. Examples: walk, speak, write, drive, hope, believe, understand, and approve The owls hooted all night. Jahlil plays basketball after school. Mr. Pagoda teaches history at our school.

Linking Verbs Some verbs do not express mental or physical action. They help make a statement by connecting the subject with a word in the predicate (the part in a sentence that says something about the subject) that describes or explains it. A linking verb is a verb that does not show action but connects the subject with a word in the predicate.

Linking Verb Examples The most common linking verb is be. Below are other forms of the verb be. am has been may be is have been would have been are had been can be was will be should be were shall be I am a teacher. He has been sick. Those berries were delicious. We would have been early.

Linking Verb Examples In addition to the form of be, there are other linking verbs. Notice how the linking verbs that are in bold in the following sentences link the subject with a word in the predicate. The actor appeared tired during the play. [The verb appeared connects actor and tired.) Zuri stayed calm in the midst of the rumpus. [The verb stayed links Zuri and rumpus.] This corn smells fresh. [The verb smells connects corn and fresh.]

Linking Verb Examples In addition to be, the following verbs are commonly used as linking verbs as well. appear grow seem stay become look smell taste feel remain sound Certain action verbs can be used as linking verbs. The meaning of the sentence tells you which kind of verb is being used.

Linking vs Action Verbs Amy looked through the telescope. Amy looked pale. LINKING We all felt the rough bark of the tree. We all felt excited before the experiment. ACTION LINKING Mother sounded the bell for dinner. Mother sounded pleased by the news. ACTION LINKING