1. EQ: How do I identify and use the correct verb in a sentence?
Name That Verb!
Action Verbs
Linking Verbs
Helping/Main Verbs
EQ: How do I identify and use the correct verb in a sentence?

2. There are different types of verbs. Some show action, and some don’t.

3. An action verb shows action
An action verb shows action. It tells what the subject of the sentence does.

4. Action Verbs Bill hit the ball. The cat purred softly.
I walk to school.
Susan spoke to me.

5. A linking verb links, or connects, the subject to the predicate
A linking verb links, or connects, the subject to the predicate. It does not show action.

6. Common Linking Verbs
am is are was were be been being smell look remain appear seems
feels tastes turn become sound grow stand

7. Linking Verb “test”
If you can replace the verb with is or are and it still makes since, you have a linking verb!
The birthday cake looks delicious.
Does a cake have eyes? No! Can you replace the verb looks with is or are? The birthday cake is delicious. Yes! That makes sense so looks is a linking verb.

8. Linking Verbs We are hungry. He was late to school.
The winner is Johnny.
The rose smells good.

9. A helping verb helps a main verb
A helping verb helps a main verb. The helping verb comes before the main verb.

10. What is a Verb Phrase? is leaving could jump
A verb phrase consist of a helping verb followed by a main verb. The helping verb must help the main verb to make a verb phrase!
is leaving could jump
may become will be running
might have thought

11. Helping/Main Verbs I am eating my lunch. Ed has taken the test.
We were talking.

12. Things to think about!
Sometimes there is another word which separates the helping verb from the main verb.
One common example is "not“. The word not is always an adverb. It is never part of the helping verb even when it is joined with a verb as a contraction.

13. We will not go to the fair this week.
The verb in this sentence contains
a Verb Phrase. It has a helping verb and a main verb.
The helping verb is will and the
Main verb is go.
Remember: NOT is NOT part
of the verb.

14. She didn’t go to the ballgame.
She did not go to the ball game. Verb phrase – did go
You do not include “not” as part of the verb
The boy couldn't find his socks. The helping verb is could and the main verb is find. Do not include “not” as part of the verb.

15. When you see an "ing" verb such as "running", be on the lookout for a helping verb also.
We are watching a movie today.
A sentence may contain up to three helping verbs to the main verb. An example would be: The dog must have been chasing the cat. The helping verbs are: must, have, and been; the main verb is chasing.

16. In the following sentences, see if you can identify the verb.
Practice Time
In the following sentences, see if you can identify the verb.

17. Ready?
Let’s get started!

18. They are watching television.

19. They are watching television.
Verb: are watching

20. They are watching television.
Verb: are watching
Type: helping/main

21. Frank was tired after work.

22. Frank was tired after work.
Verb: was

23. Frank was tired after work.
Verb: was
Type: linking verb

24. My dad drove his car to the store.

25. My dad drove his car to the store.
Verb: drove

26. My dad drove his car to the store.
Verb: drove
Type: action verb

27. Finding Nemo is her favorite movie.

28. Finding Nemo is her favorite movie.
Verb: is

29. Finding Nemo is her favorite movie.
Verb: is
Type: linking verb

30. I did my homework right after school.

31. I did my homework right after school.
Verb: did

32. I did my homework right after school.
Verb: did
Type: action verb

33. Ann was cooking dinner in the kitchen.

34. Ann was cooking dinner in the kitchen.
Verb: was cooking

35. Ann was cooking dinner in the kitchen.
Verb: was cooking
Type: helping/main

36. The boys were playing in the park.

37. The boys were playing in the park.
Verb: were playing

38. The boys were playing in the park.
Verb: were playing
Type: helping/main

39. Sarah competed in the track meet.

40. Sarah competed in the track meet.
Verb: competed

41. Sarah competed in the track meet.
Verb: competed
Type: action verb

42. The ocean water tastes salty.

43. The ocean water tastes salty.
Verb: tastes

44. The ocean water tastes salty.
Verb: tastes
Type: linking verb

45. Thomas raised his hand.

46. Thomas raised his hand.
Verb: raised

47. Thomas raised his hand.
Verb: raised
Type: action verb

48. The teacher answered his question.

49. The teacher answered his question.
Verb: answered

50. The teacher answered his question.
Verb: answered
Type: action verb

51. Randy is studying for his grammar test.

52. Randy is studying for his grammar test.
Verb: is studying

53. Randy is studying for his grammar test.
Verb: is studying
Type: helping/main

54. They will be late to the party.

55. They will be late to the party.
Verb: will be

56. They will be late to the party.
Verb: will be
Type: linking verb

57. I am thirsty after all that running.

58. I am thirsty after all that running.
Verb: am

59. I am thirsty after all that running.
Verb: am
Type: linking verb

60. We have learned a lot about verbs.

61. We have learned a lot about verbs.
Verb: have learned

62. We have learned a lot about verbs.
Verb: have learned
Type: helping/main

63. She isn’t running
in the race.
Verb: is running
Type: helping/main

64. Great job!

65. Now that you’re an expert on verbs, be sure to use the related flash cards on

66. direct objects, predicate nouns, and predicate adjectives.