Action Verbs Linking Verbs We’re not types of verbs, but we’re related to them! Verbs, Verbs, Verbs Action Verbs Linking Verbs (also: auxiliary, transitive, intransitive)

Two, 2, dos, deux, zwei, ni, , There are ONLY two kinds of verbs on the planet. They are: action linking (tutu) 

All real verbs are either action or linking All real verbs are either action or linking. There are other “verby” things (auxiliary/helping verbs, verbals), but they are not true verbs. We will discuss these later.

Action Verbs

Action Verbs physical action mental action express either mental or physical activity The dogs barked all day. He thought about the day. physical action mental action

Action Verbs may be transitive or intransitive (more on this later – just note it for now)

Linking Verbs

Linking Verbs My teacher is cranky. express a state of being connect (or link) the subject to a word or word group that identifies or describes the subject My teacher is cranky.

Linking Verbs never have objects ALWAYS intransitive (more on this later – just note it for now)

Action or Linking Verb? We celebrated the Chinese New Year yesterday. The holiday is usually in February. We celebrated the Chinese New Year yesterday. The holiday is usually in February. linking #1 Identify the verb. #2 Action or state of being? #3 Action=action verb & state of being = linking verb

Action or Linking Verb? John looked tired. John looked through the binoculars. John looked tired. John looked through the binoculars. action #1 Identify the verb. #2 Action or state of being? #3 Action=action verb & state of being = linking verb

Action or Linking Verb? Remain in your seats until the end of class. Remain calm. Remain in your seats until the end of class. Remain calm. linking #1 Identify the verb. #2 Action or state of being? #3 Action=action verb & state of being = linking verb

Handy Tip for Linking Verbs Linking verbs are like the equal signs of language. (=) Any verb that can be replaced with is, am, are, be, become, or becomes to create a sentence with nearly the same meaning is a linking verb.

Action or Linking Verb? Your Turn! Any verb that can be replaced with is, am, are, be, become, or becomes to create a sentence with nearly the same meaning is a linking verb. The sky looks blue. I walked home. Our teacher seemed crazy.

Auxiliary/Helping “Verbs” “auxiliary” just means “helping” WARNING: Auxiliary verbs do not function as verbs. They HELP the main verb.

Auxiliary/Helping Verbs (sing to the tune of “Jingle Bells” for a handy mnemonic) be am is are was were been being has have had do did does can could shall will would should may might must

Auxiliary/Helping Verbs help the main verb express action or a state of being can speak may be has been named should have been caught

Auxiliary Verbs Verb Phrase A verb phrase has one main verb and one or more auxiliary verbs Many people in Africa can speak more than one language. The packages may be at 401 Maple Street.

Verb Phrase “Math” can speak may be has been named auxiliary verb(s) + main verb = verb phrase There may be more than one auxiliary verb in a verb phrase. There is only one main verb in a verb phrase. It is always the LAST WORD in the verb phrase. The main verb is either action (speak, named, caught) or linking (be). can speak may be has been named should have been caught

Auxiliary Verb or Main Verb? The highlighted words can function as main verbs or auxiliary verbs. Can you tell which job each is doing? I am a teacher. I am writing a letter. We are hungry. The girls are playing ball. main verb auxiliary verb main verb auxiliary verb

Auxiliary Verb or Main Verb? Your Turn! Make your own examples using each of these words in two ways: 1) as a main verb and 2) as an auxiliary verb in a verb phrase. was does have

Auxiliary Verb or Main Verb? Your Turn! was does have I was a track star. I was running quickly. She does the dishes. She does hear you. They have influenza. They have been cured.

Handy Tip for Verb Phrases Sometimes a verb phrase is interrupted by another part of speech, like an adverb. In a question, the subject often interrupts the verb phrase. Our school has always held a victory celebration when our team wins. Did you hear Jamie Foxx’s speech?

Transitive and Intransitive It’s all about transfer of action to an object.

Handy Tip Since transitive/intransitive verbs deal with whether or not action passes from the subject to an object, always start with labeling the subject and verb in the sentence.

Transitive Verbs express an action directed toward a person, a place, a thing, or an idea (a.k.a., nouns) The action passes from the doer (the subject) to the receiver of the action. The words that receive the action of transitive verbs  direct objects  always nouns Transitive verbs can only be action verbs. Linking verbs are NEVER transitive.

Transitive Verbs: Examples av Derrick greeted the visitors. Derrick greeted whom? The action (greeted) passes from the subject (Derrick) to the object (visitors). When will Felicia paint her room? Felicia will paint what? The action (will paint) passes from the subject (Felicia) to the object (room). aux. v S av

Intransitive Verbs express action or tell something about the subject without the action passing to a receiver, or object Intransitive verbs may be either action or linking verbs.

Intransitive Verbs: Examples av The train stopped. The train stopped what? There is nothing in the sentence to say what the train stopped (i.e., there is no object). There is no transfer of action. Last night we ate on the patio. We ate what? There is nothing in the sentence to say what we ate (i.e., there is no object). We did not eat some “on the patio.” This is a prepositional phrase telling where we ate, not what. There is no transfer of action. S av

Transitive or Intransitive? Your Turn! 1) Label subject & verb. 2) Is the verb action or linking? If linking, it cannot be transitive. If action, go on to step 3. 3) Say, “Subject, verb WHAT?” If there is a noun that receives the action, it is transitive. The children play checkers. The children play quietly. Mr. Lopez is baking bread. Mr. Lopez is baking this afternoon. Have Roland and Tracy left their coats? Have Roland and Tracy left yet?

Transitive or Intransitive? Your Turn! av The children play checkers. The children play WHAT? “Checkers” is a noun telling what they play, so “play” is transitive. The children play quietly. The children play WHAT? “Quietly” is not a noun and it is not what they play (it is how they play), so “play” is intransitive. S av

Transitive or Intransitive? Your Turn! av Mr. Lopez is baking bread. Mr. Lopez is baking WHAT? “Bread” is a noun and it tells what he is baking, so “is baking” is transitive. Mr. Lopez is baking this afternoon. Mr. Lopez is baking WHAT? “This afternoon” is not what Mr. Lopez is baking (it tells when), so “is baking” is intransitive. S aux. v av

Transitive or Intransitive? Your Turn! aux. v av S Have Roland and Tracy left their coats? Roland and Tracy have left WHAT? “Coats” is a noun and it tells what they left, so “have left” is transitive. Have Roland and Tracy left yet? Roland and Tracy have left WHAT? “Yet” is not what they left (it tells when), so “have left” is intransitive. S aux. v S av

Transitive or Intransitive? Your Turn! Label the subjects and verbs in these sentences. Tell whether the verbs are transitive or intransitive. Melanie ate a baked potato. Hector and Tom are reading. They painted the house. Did you carry his suitcase? My plant grows quickly.