1. Action Verbs Linking Verbs Transitive/Intransitive Verbs
Verbs, Verbs, Verbs
Action Verbs
Linking Verbs
Transitive/Intransitive Verbs

2. Verbs ‘I Cans’ and Essential Questions
Use verbs (perfect tenses, transitive and intransitive, and linking verbs) in my writing.
Explain why a writer chooses a particular verb(s) in their writing.
Identify different types of verbs when given the opportunity.
Essential Questions
Why is it important to understand proper verb usage in my (and other’s) writing?
How am I going to incorporate what I’ve learned about verbs in my writing to effectively communicate my ideas?

3. Two Types of verbs
There are ONLY two types of verbs on the planet. They are:
Action
Linking And then we go from there...

4. All real verbs are either action or linking
All real verbs are either action or linking. There are other “verby” things (auxiliary and helping verbs,), but they are not true verbs. We will discuss these later.

5. Action Verbs

6. Action Verbs express either mental or physical activity
The dogs barked all day.
He thought about the day.

7. Action Verbs
may be transitive or intransitive
more on these later!

8. Linking Verbs

9. Linking Verbs My teacher is eccentric! express a state of being
connect (or link) the subject to a word or word group that identifies or describes the subject
My teacher is eccentric!

10. Linking Verbs Never have objects Are ALWAYS intransitive
More on this later…

11. Action or Linking Verb? John looked tired.
John looked through the binoculars.
John looked tired.
John looked through the binoculars.
#1 Identify the verb.
#2 Action or state of being?
#3 Action=action verb & state of being = linking verb

12. Action or Linking Verb? Remain in your seats until the end of class.
Remain calm.
Remain in your seats until the end of class.
Remain calm.
#1 Identify the verb.
#2 Action or state of being?
#3 Action=action verb & state of being = linking verb

13. Handy Tip for Linking Verbs
Linking verbs are like the equal signs of language. (=)
Any verb that can be replaced with is, am, are, be, become, or becomes to create a sentence with nearly the same meaning is a linking verb.

14. Action or Linking Verb? Your Turn!
Any verb that can be replaced with is, am, are, be, become, or becomes to create a sentence with nearly the same meaning is a linking verb.
The sky looks blue.
I walked home.
Our teacher seemed eccentric.

15. Auxiliary/Helping “Verbs”
“auxiliary” just means “helping”
WARNING: Auxiliary verbs do not function as verbs. They HELP the main verb.

16. Auxiliary/Helping Verbs
(sing to the tune of “Jingle Bells” for
a handy mnemonic device!) be am is
are
was
were
been
being
has
have
had do
did
does
can
could
shall
will
would
should
may
might
must

17. Auxiliary/Helping Verbs
help the main verb express action or a state of being
can speak
may be
has been named
should have been caught

18. Auxiliary Verbs Verb Phrase
A verb phrase has one main verb and one or more auxiliary verbs
Many people in Africa can speak more than one language.
The packages may be at 401 Maple Street.

19. Verb Phrase “Math” can speak may be has been named
auxiliary verb(s) + main verb = verb phrase
There may be more than one auxiliary verb in a verb phrase. There is only one main verb in a verb phrase. It is always the LAST WORD in the verb phrase. The main verb is either action (speak, named, caught) or linking (be).
can speak
may be
has been named
should have been caught

20. Auxiliary Verb or Main Verb?
The highlighted words can function as main verbs or auxiliary verbs. Can you tell which job each is doing?
I am a teacher.
I am writing a letter.
We are hungry.
The girls are playing ball.

21. Auxiliary Verb or Main Verb? Your Turn!
Make your own examples using each of these words in two ways: 1) as a main verb and 2) as an auxiliary verb in a verb phrase.
was
does

22. Handy Tip for Verb Phrases
Sometimes a verb phrase is interrupted by another part of speech, like an adverb. In a question, the subject often interrupts the verb phrase.
Our school has always held a victory celebration when our team wins.
Did you hear Jamie Foxx’s speech?

23. It’s all about transfer of action to an object.
Transitive and Intransitive
It’s all about transfer of action to an object.

24. Handy Tip
Since transitive/intransitive verbs deal with whether or not action passes from the subject to an object, always start with labeling the subject and verb in the sentence.

25. Transitive Verbs
express an action directed toward a person, a place, a thing, or an idea (nouns)
The action passes from the doer (the subject) to the receiver of the action.
The words that receive the action of transitive verbs  direct objects  always nouns
Transitive verbs can only be action verbs. Linking verbs are NEVER transitive.

26. Transitive Verbs: Examples
Derrick greeted the visitors.
Derrick greeted whom? The action (greeted) passes from the subject (Derrick) to the object (visitors).
When will Felicia paint her room?
Felicia will paint what? The action (will paint) passes from the subject (Felicia) to the object (room).

27. Intransitive Verbs
Express action or tell something about the subject without the action passing to a receiver, or object
Intransitive verbs may be either action or linking verbs.

28. Intransitive Verbs: Examples
The train stopped.
The train stopped what? There is nothing in the sentence to say what the train stopped (i.e., there is no object). There is no transfer of action.
Last night we ate on the patio.
We ate what? There is nothing in the sentence to say what we ate (i.e., there is no object). We did not eat some “on the patio.” This is a prepositional phrase telling where we ate, not what. There is no transfer of action.

29. Transitive or Intransitive? Your Turn!
1) Label subject & verb. 2) Is the verb action or linking? If linking, it cannot be transitive. If action, go on to step 3. 3) Say, “Subject, verb WHAT?” If there is a noun that receives the action, it is transitive.
The children play checkers.
The children play quietly.
Mr. Lopez is baking bread.
Mr. Lopez is baking this afternoon.

30. Transitive or Intransitive? Your Turn!
1.) Label the subjects and verbs in these sentences.
2.)Tell whether the verbs are transitive or intransitive.
Melanie ate a baked potato.
Hector and Tom are reading.
They painted the house.
Did you carry his suitcase?
My plant grows quickly.