1. Middle School Novel Units Inc
Introduction to Verbs
Copyright © 2011
Middle School Novel Units Inc
St. Petersburg, FL
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2. Length: Approximately 16 minutes

3. An action verb is a word that shows action
An action verb is a word that shows action. In other words, it is what the subject of a sentence “did” or “is doing”  

4. Example: Olivia eats popcorn every day for snack
Example: Olivia eats popcorn every day for snack. “Olivia” is the subject of the sentence. What does Olivia “do”? She “eats.” Therefore, eats is the action verb.    

5. Other examples of verbs:     need, clean, visit, stay, loves, know, work, move    

6. Verbs often end with the suffixes, “ing” and “ed.”

7. Examples: cleaning, visiting, staying, working, continued, moved

8. Pay attention as I identify the action verbs from the following sentences. Remember, an action verb is what the subject of a sentence “did” or “is doing.”  

9. Noah taught himself to read by playing on a software program on the computer.

10. Noah taught himself to read by playing on a software program on the computer.

11. 2. Anthony runs track for his school.

12. 2. Anthony runs track for his school.

13. 3. Aiden worked at a donut shop for almost 6 months.

14. 3. Aiden worked at a donut shop for almost 6 months.

15. A helping verb “helps” the main verb to express its meaning
A helping verb “helps” the main verb to express its meaning. A helping verb and a main verb make up a verb phrase.  

16. Examples: Adrian is watching car races on television
Examples:   Adrian is watching car races on television.     The helping verb “is” is helping the main verb “watching” to express what Adrian is doing.  

17. More examples: School will start in the middle of August this year
More examples:   School will start in the middle of August this year.   I am eating a ham sandwich for lunch.     The helping verbs are will and am.    

18. Most common helping verbs:   have, has, had, is, are, am, was, were, do, does, did  

19. Pay attention as I identify the helping verbs from the following sentences. Remember, a helping verb “helps” the main verb to express its meaning.

20. In the spring, the meadow is blooming with flowers.

21. In the spring, the meadow is blooming with flowers.

22. 2. Emily was looking for her new shoes.

23. 2. Emily was looking for her new shoes.

24. 3. It looks like it will snow today.

25. 3. It looks like it will snow today.

26.   Verb Tenses   The verb tense tells whether the action of the sentence takes place in the present, in the past, or in the future.      

27. Present tense verbs tell that the action is taking place right now.

28. Example: Jeremiah is playing the drums in a band.

29. More examples of present tense verbs:   Her sister continues to work at the donut shop while going to school.   Chloe's friend has a new black sports car.  

30. Pay attention as I change the following verbs into present tense verbs
Pay attention as I change the following verbs into present tense verbs. Remember, present tense verbs tell that the action is taking place right now.

31. Jordan will give piano lessons.

32. Jordan is giving piano lessons.

33. 2. Charlotte ate spaghetti for dinner.

34. 2. Charlotte is eating spaghetti for dinner.

35. 3. Aubrey continued to work for her family's restaurant while attending college.

36. 3. Aubrey continues to work for her family's restaurant while attending college.

37. Past tense verbs tell that the action has already taken place.

38. Example: Ben hopped out of bed and quickly dressed for school.

39. More examples of past tense verbs:   Scott wondered if he should call and check on his mother.   Sam swallowed nervously as his father walked into the room.  

40. Pay attention as I change the following verbs into past tense
Pay attention as I change the following verbs into past tense. Remember, past tense verbs tell that the action already took place.  

41. Robert and Jeremiah will work all summer.

42. Robert and Jeremiah worked all summer.

43. 2. Julian will live there for 3 months.

44. 2. Julian lived there for 3 months.

45. 3. Julian and Claire teach piano lessons to young children.

46. 3. Julian and Claire taught piano lessons to young children.

47. Future tense verbs tell that the action will take place in the future.

48. Example: We will move to a new neighborhood this summer.

49. More examples of future tense verbs:   Mom said she will put a stop to Craig’s bad behavior.   Evan will be covered in mud after he finishes playing outside during the rain.  

50. Pay attention as I change the following verbs into future tense
Pay attention as I change the following verbs into future tense. Remember, future tense verbs tell that the action will take place sometime later.

51. They cooked the pizza on a wood stove.

52. They will cook the pizza on a wood stove.

53. 2. Carl ate a big dinner on his birthday.

54. 2. Carl will eat a big dinner on his birthday.

55. 3. Sarah and Tom went to see a scary movie on Friday night.

56. 3. Sarah and Tom will go to see a scary movie on Friday night.