T HREE T YPES OF V ERBS Grammar Unit #2 – Lesson #1

A CTION V ERBS Action verbs express action by describing the behavior of a person, place or thing. They may describe physical or mental actions.

A CTION V ERBS John thinks about books every day. The truck driver honks his horn. Mary jumped rope every Saturday.

A CTION V ERBS Trick : To identify a word as an action verb, ask yourself: “Does this word express something I can do?” For example, let’s look at the following sentence: Mary jumped rope every Saturday. Can you Mary? No. Can you jump? Yes. Can you rope? No. Therefore, the verb is jumped.

L INKING V ERBS Linking verbs link the subject of the sentence with the rest of the sentence. Many linking verbs are forms of “to be.” Let’s take a look at some examples: James is a nice person. The new cat could be a calico.

L INKING V ERBS Just as action verbs describe what a subject does, linking verbs describe the subject in some other way. Most often, they define or describe the subject of the sentence. James is a nice person. (James is defined as a nice person) The new cat was a calico. (The new cat was described as a calico.) Remember the “equals” trick! James = a nice person

H ELPING V ERBS Helping verbs act as “helpers” to other verbs. Let’s view some examples: The Girl Scouts are meeting after school today. We have been waiting for twenty minutes in the dentist’s office.

H ELPING V ERBS There are 23 helping verbs, and they are usually arranged into five different groups.

P RACTICE Identify the verb in each sentence and indicate whether it includes an action verb, a linking verb, or a helping verb. 1. We ate lunch around 2 p.m. yesterday. 2. I may apply for a job at Macy’s in Exton Mall. 3. I am anxious to finish the research project. 4. The ducks were swimming in the pond during our picnic. 5. The weather has been hot and dry all summer.

M ORE P RACTICE Identify the verb in each sentence and indicate whether it includes an action verb, a linking verb, or a helping verb. 6. I went to the beach on Tuesday afternoon and played volleyball. 7. I can finish that essay exam before I go to the movies. 8. I should bake the cake for Mom’s birthday. 9. We have been ill all weekend. 10. The dogs tore open the trash bags and messed up the house.

A NSWERS 1. ate = action 2. may = helping; apply = action 3. am = linking 4. were = helping; swimming = action 5. has been = linking 6. went = action; played = action 7. can = helping; finish = action; go = action 8. should = helping; bake = action 9. have been = linking. 10. tore = action; messed = action