VERBS – PART I Unit

Action Verbs  An action verb is a word that names an action. It may contain more than one word.  There are 2 types of action verbs: mental and physical.

Action Verbs  Action verbs can express physical actions, such as writing and running.  Action verbs can express mental actions, such as thinking and honoring.  HAVE, HAS and HAD are action verbs!!!!

Find the action verbs  1. The French probably invented tennis in  2. At one time, people called the game lawn tennis.  3. In 1874 Mary Outerbridge observed tennis in Bermuda.  4. She brought a net, tennis balls and racquets.  5. She established the first court in New York City.  6. Maud Wilson won the first women’s Wimbledon.  7. Women excelled at tennis during the 1920s.  8. Suzanne Lenglen developed an athletic style of play.  9. Helen Moody set a record of eight Wimbledon titles.  10. Players in Wimbledon compete on grass courts.  11. Many players prefer clay courts.

VERB PHRASES  VERB PHRASE = helping verb + main verb helping verb + main verb When asked to identify the verb in a sentence, you should always look for verb phrases.

Common Helping Verbs  am are be been being is was  were  do does did  have had has  can might should could must  will may shall would

 Did he do his homework?  She will be here soon.  We do not have enough time.  He should have been studying for the test.

What to avoid in a verb phrase  Adverbs are commonly used in between a helping verb and its main verb. You need to be very careful and DO NOT include these words.  They are not, also, even, never, ever, rarely, really, always, often, probably, and ANY word that ends in –ly!

Can you find the verb phrase? 1.The kids can find their classes on their own. 2.What unusual jobs can you name? 3.I have been walking everyday after school. 4.Will he be going to the movies? 5.You may not have seen the new teacher. 6.It might seem odd that he is always friendly. 7.Mr. Olivis will probably conduct an assembly today. 8.He has really been worried about his math test.

Transitive Verbs  Transitive verbs are ACTION verbs that have a direct object.  The action of the verb is passed on to another word that follows the verb.

Transitive Verbs  The dog chewed the bone. The dog chewed what? The bone If you can answer what?? After the verb Then you have a direct object.

Transitive Verbs Transitive verbs are like quarterbacks that complete a pass. The receiver that catches that pass is the direct object.

Direct Objects  A direct object is :  A noun or pronoun  Follows an ACTION VERB  Answers the question WHO or WHAT

Direct Objects  The baby lost his pacifier.  Lost what? Pacifier The monkey ate the rotten bananas. The monkey ate the rotten bananas.  Ate what? Bananas

Can you find the direct object?  1. The team carried gloves and bats into the stadium.  2. The punter kicks the football.  3. Ryan smelled gasoline.  4. Did the horse jump the fence?  5. Ben saw us at the football game.  6. Jan wrote the letter.  7. The tornado took the roof off our house.  8. Will you put the groceries on the counter?  9. The singer gave free tapes to fans.  10. Mrs. Bates will grade the papers today.  11. Have the workers cleaned the cafeteria yet?

Intransitive Verbs  Intransitive verbs DO NOT have a direct object.  There is nothing to receive the action of the verb.

Intransitive Verbs  An intransitive verb is like the quarterback getting sacked. The receiver does NOT get the pass.

Examples of Intransitive Verbs  The boy ran quickly. Ran who? Ran what? NO !!! This answers how he ran. Ran who? Ran what? NO !!! This answers how he ran. He cheered loudly for his team. Cheered what? Cheered who? NO!! This answers how he cheered.

Indirect Objects  An indirect object is a NOUN or PRONOUN that comes between the action verb and the direct object.  It answers TO WHOM or FOR WHOM the action occurs.

How to Find an Indirect Object  You must use the “finger” method!  The coach gave the players a speech.  What did the coach do? Gave (action verb)  What did he give? Speech (direct object)  To whom did he give a speech? Players (indirect) Players (indirect) THE INDIRECT OBJECT WILL ALWAYS BE IN THE MIDDLE!

Linking Verbs  A linking verb is a verb that DOES NOT show action.  It links a word in the subject to a word in the predicate

Linking Verbs  Am, are, is, was, were, be  Become, seem, appear, look, grow, turn, taste, feel, smell and sound

Linking Verbs have buddies too!  Linking verbs are followed by a predicate noun or a predicate adjective.  Just like a direct object- ask WHO or WHAT after the linking verb.

Linking Verbs  Am, are, is, was, were, be, become  Taste, seem, feel, appear, look, grow, turn, taste, smell, sound

Predicate Nouns  A predicate noun is a noun that follows a linking verb. It tells what the subject is.  He is a doctor.  Sam is a pitcher.  John McGraw was the manager.

Predicate Adjectives  Predicate Adjectives are adjectives that follow a linking verbs. It describes the subject by telling what it is like.  The pitcher is skillful.  Mr. Olivis is very energetic.  Coach Robinson is bald.

PN’s or PA’s  Our pitcher appears very nervous today.  She seems quite agile.  The pitcher was a good hitter.  He was also a fine fielder.  Fans of the team grew ecstatic.  The team seems confident today.  The home team was the winner yesterday.  She looks very proud of her team.  She is an honorary member of the team.