Verbs and Gerunds Parts of Speech

Verbs Verbs show time and action. Example will jump jumps was jumping

Action Verbs Things that can be done. Example ran punched left did

Linking Verbs A Linking verb connects the subject with an adjective or a noun that describes it. Example Am Become Turn I am a singer. (AM connects the subject “I” with the “singer” noun) She became angry. (“Became” connects the subject “she” with the adjective “angry”) I turned red. (the subject “I” is connected with the adjective “red” by the verb “turned”)

Linking Verbs Only these 13 verbs can be linking! Main: be, am, is, are, was, were, been, being Others: appear, become, feel, grow, look, seem, remain, smell, sound, stay, taste, turn

Linking or Action? Smell: Linking- You smell nice. You = nice? YES. Action- I smell apple pie. I = Pie? No.

Linking or Action? Grow: Linking- The plant grew tall. Plant=tall? YES. Action- I grew carrots in my garden. I=carrots? No.

Helping Verbs Helping verbs come before the main verb in the sentence. Existing is an action. Helping verbs come before the main verb in the sentence. Example He is going to the store. Is, has, does, can, could, must, be, are, have, do, will, would, may, been, am, had, did, shall, should, might, being, was, were

Verb Phrases Verb phrases show time, condition, and action. Helping verb + action verb = verb phrase Examples I am studying. They were skipping class. They will fail.

Gerunds Gerunds are the noun forms of verbs. They function as naming an activity (not a person or thing). Verb+ing = gerund Gerunds are NOT attached to helping verbs. Examples Drawing is fun. Eating late at night may lead to nightmares. He hates doing homework.

There May Be More Than One Verb or Verb Phrase in Each Sentence Ayonna ran to the store and bought chips. Jessica was holding the door when the fight started. Playing football is much more dangerous if you’re not wearing pads. If you are talking during class, you might get in trouble. I am not good at running.

Review Helping verbs show time. Helping verb + action verb = verb phrase. I am walking. I was walking. Gerunds = noun form of verb. Gerund = ing + verb – helping verb. Walking is a good time.

Practice Write down each sentence. Underline the verbs. Circle the gerunds.

1 Eating pizza is fun.

2 Tim might study if he’s not too busy.

3 Playing sports can be healthy.

4 Tom went home, did his chores, and slept.

5 I am not good at lying.

6 Stealing, lying, and cheating are wrong.

7 Are you going to the store?

Answers 1. Eating pizza is fun. 2. Tim might study if he’s not too busy. 3. Playing sports can be healthy. 4. Tom went home, did his chores, and slept. 5. I am not good at lying. 6. Stealing, lying, and cheating are wrong. 7. Are you going to the store?