VERBS

ACTION VERBS Definition: An action verb tells what action someone or something is performing Examples: Father packed our suitcases. The ship chugged into the harbor.

PRACTICE!! Circle the action verb in each sentence. 1. Lines of people walked to the ship for the voyage across the ocean. 2. On board, many passengers wondered about their new homeland. 3. The waves lashed at the ship during storms. 4. Eventually, the immigrants completed the journey. 5. Some cried at the sight of the Statue of Liberty.

TRANSITIVE VERBS Definition: A transitive verb is an action verb that directs action from the performer of the action toward the receiver of the action. The receiver of the action is a person, place, or thing – that is, a noun or pronoun. Examples: The captain rang the bell. (action directed at bell) The captain sailed the ship. (action directed at ship)

INTRANSITIVE VERBS Definition: An intransitive verb expresses action or tells something about the subject of the sentence but does not direct action toward another noun or pronoun. Examples: The bell rang for dinner. The ship sailed out to sea.

PRACTICE After each verb, write transitive or intransitive. If you label a verb transitive, identify the noun toward which the action is directed. 1. Early settlers hoped for new lives in the United States. 2. They explored the new territory. 3. Some colonists sailed back to their homelands. 4. The other immigrants stayed in the U.S. permanently. 5. These people shared a dream of a better life. 6. They dared to cross the ocean.

LINKING VERBS Definition: A linking verb connects a noun or pronoun with a word that identifies or describes it. Examples: New York is a city. (city identifies New York) The best swimmers were Margie and Brad. (Margie and Brad identify the swimmers) Lucy seems unhappy. (unhappy describes Lucy)

PRACTICE!! Underline the form of be in each sentence. Then, draw an arrow connecting the words that are linked by the verb. 1. The Immigration Service determines whether immigrants will be citizens. 2. Citizenship may have been open to people of all origins. 3. The children may be cranky from waiting in the long lines. 4. An elderly man is sick from the long trip. 5. It had been a difficult voyage.

THE MOST COMMON LINKING VERB BE BE

FORMS OF BE amcan be Arecould be Ismay be Wasmight be Weremust be Am beingshall be Are beingshould be Is beingwill be Was beingwould be Were being Have been Has been Had been Could have been May have been Might have been Must have been Shall have been Should have been Will have been Would have been

OTHER LINKING VERBS Appearlooksound Becomeremainstay Feelseemtaste Growsmellturn EXAMPLES: She later became a citizen. The cream tastes sour. The food stayed fresh and crisp.

ACTION OR LINKING? Tina felt weak. (Tina is weak?) If you can substitute Yes, it’s a linking verb. the word IS for the verb, the verb is probably a Tina felt the cloth. linking verb. (Tina is the cloth?) No, it’s an action verb.

PRACTICE!! Underline the verbs in each sentence. After each action verb, write AV, and after each linking verb, write LV. 1. The father looked at his family. 2. He felt sad about leaving them. 3. His family looked so tiny from the ship. 4. The rain smelled fresh, like his new start. 5. Suddenly, the Statue of Liberty appeared through the fog. 6. The crowds on the ship appeared happy. 7. Farmers grew vegetable to sell in the city.