Name That

Verb!
Action Verbs
Linking Verbs
Helping/Main
Brent Coley Verbs
2008 | www.mrcoley.com

There are
different types
of verbs. Some
show action,
and some dont.

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

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

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

Common Linking
Verbs
am
is are was
were be been
seems feels
tastes

Linking Verbs
We are hungry.
He was late to
school.
The winner is
Johnny.

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

Helping/Main
Verbs
I am eating my
lunch.
Ed has taken the
test.

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

Ready?
Lets get
started!

They are
watching
television.

They are
watching
television.
Verb: are
watching

They are
watching
television.
Verb: are
watching

Frank was tired

after work.

Frank was tired

after work.
Verb: was

Frank was tired

after work.
Verb: was
Type: linking verb

My dad drove his

car to the store.

My dad drove his

car to the store.
Verb: drove

My dad drove his

car to the store.
Verb: drove
Type: action verb

Finding Nemo is
her favorite
movie.

Finding Nemo is
her favorite
movie.
Verb: is

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

I did my
homework right
after school.

I did my
homework right
after school.
Verb: did

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

Ann was cooking

dinner in the
kitchen.

Ann was cooking

dinner in the
kitchen.
Verb: was cooking

Ann was cooking

dinner in the
kitchen.
Verb: was cooking
Type:

The boys were

playing in the
park.

The boys were

playing in the
park.
Verb: were
playing

The boys were

playing in the
park.
Verb: were
playing

Sarah competed
in the track meet.

Sarah competed
in the track meet.
Verb: competed

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

The ocean water

tastes salty.

The ocean water

tastes salty.
Verb: tastes

The ocean water

tastes salty.
Verb: tastes
Type: linking verb

Thomas raised his

hand.

Thomas raised his

hand.
Verb: raised

Thomas raised his

hand.
Verb: raised
Type: action verb

The teacher
answered his
question.

The teacher
answered his
question.
Verb: answered

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

Randy is studying
for his grammar
test.

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

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

They will be late

to the party.

They will be late

to the party.
Verb: will be

They will be late

to the party.
Verb: will be
Type: linking verb

I am thirsty after
all that running.

I am thirsty after
all that running.
Verb: am

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

We have learned
a lot about verbs.

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

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

Great job!