Verbs Intro to Lit

Action Verbs a verb that tells what action someone or something is performing – Ex: Bob kicked the ball. can show mental as well as visible action – Ex: We chose two books about China. (V) – Ex: They remember the film about China. (M)

Verb: Transitive or Intransitive Transitive: if it directs action toward someone or something named in the same sentence receiver of the action is the object of the verb – Ex: I drive my car. – Ex: I ate lunch with John and Mary. Intransitive: if it does not direct action toward someone or something in the sentence no receiver of action so does not have an object – Ex: I drive to school. – Ex: I ate in the restaurant with John and Mary.

Transitive and Intransitive con’t To determine if a verb is transitive or intransitive, ask Whom? or What? after the verb If you can find the answer in the sentence, the verb is transitive, if not, intransitive Bill reads books about Asia. (reads what? books) Bill reads every night (reads what? whom? no)

Linking Verbs a verb that connects a word at or near the beginning of a sentence with a word at or near the end The most common linking verb is some form of the verb be see chart on pg. 366 for all forms of be – note: be can be used to express existence, generally showing where something is located – in this case, it is not being used as a linking verb

Other Linking Verbs verbs other than be may be linking verbs Ex: The astronauts grew anxious. (LV) Ex: We grew peppers in our garden. (AV) other linking verbs appear become feel grow look remain seem smell sound stay taste turn

Action or Linking Verb? substitute am, are or is for the verb if the substituted word makes sense and connects two words, then the original verb is being used as a linking verb – Ex: The pears taste sweet. – Sub: The pears are sweet. (LV) – Ex: I taste the red pepper. – Sub: I am the red pepper. (AV-doesn’t make sense)

Helping Verbs verbs that can be added to another verb to make a single verb phrase Any of the forms of be as well as some other verbs can be used as helping verbs verb phrases are created by the addition of helping verbs to other verbs helping verbs are also called auxiliary verbs using helping verbs can change the meaning of the sentence

other helping verbs Other Helping Verbs do does did have has had would shall should will might must can could may We are playing in the game. We will be playing in the game. I might study for the test. I should have been studying for the test.

Finding Helping Verbs verb phrases are often interrupted by other words – Ex: They will be flying in the morning. – Ex: They will not be flying in the morning. – Ex: We are always thinking about our homework. – Ex: We will be thinking about our homework.