VERBS

MAIN VERB A verb is called a main verb when used alone OR when its the one at the END of a verb phrase that also includes helping verbs to change the tense of the main verb. (main verb) (2 helping + 1 main verb) Main verb used alone: He walks. Main verb at end of verb phrase: She has been walking. HELPING VERBS Helping verbs come IN FRONT OF the main verb in a verb phrase to help the main verb create a different verb tense. Helping verb(s) + main verb = verb phrase has been walking has been walking Following are the ONLY verbs that can be used as helping verbs. There are 23 of them: am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been, have, has, had, do, does, did, shall, should, will, would, may, might, must, can, could IMPORTANT NOTE: Some of the same verbs that are included in the list of 23 helping verbs can be used alone or at the end of a verb phrase in a different sentence, in which case they are then called the main verb, and NOT considered to be a helping verb. FOR EXAMPLE: main verb helper + main She has a bad cold. She has been to the doctor.

ALSO NOTE: Helping verbs (in a verb phrase) are neither action nor linking. They only help a main action verb OR a main linking verb (by creating different verb tenses). The main (end) verb is the one that determines whether the phrase is action or linking. ACTION or LINKING VERBS: Main verbs (NOT helping verbs) are described as ACTION or LINKING: -ACTION VERBS - describe a physical or mental action that can be done by or to the subject. (ACTION VERB EXAMPLES: think, disappear, hit, walks, said, crying, etc.) An action verb is: TRANSITIVE if there is a transfer of action from the subject to a direct object that receives the action. (The boy hit the ball.) An action verb is INTRANSITIVE when there is NO transfer of action to another direct object, often because the subject itself receives the action. The ball was hit over the fence. I had been sleeping for only a few hours. -LINKING VERBS: -A linking verb shows the state of being or condition/status of the subject. My boyfriend is here. -Linking verbs often link/connect the subject to a word that describes OR renames/identifies the subject: a) links the subject to a predicate adjective that describes the subject He is healthy. She seems happy. She appears angry. b) links the subject to a predicate noun/pronoun that identifies or renames the subject She is my mom. He became president at a young. Mrs. Cavanah was our teacher. ALWAYS linking: am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being, seem, & usually become SOMETIMES linking are the following, when they mean become or seem: appear, look, feel, grow, turn, smell, sound, taste, remain, stay slang: got For example, appear is a linking verb WHEN/IF it can be replaced with seems. EXAMPLE 1: Appear is a linking verb here: She appeared happy. (means same as seemed happy) EXAMPLE 2: Appear is an action verb here: She appeared on the stage suddenly, already in costume.

(See Practice Questions on Back)

VERB Pre-Test/Practice

NAME: _____________________________________________________________

PART 1 - DIRECTIONS: Identify the KIND OF VERB that is already underlined: 1. I am walking home today. A) helping/auxiliary verb 2. I am a teacher. A) helping/auxiliary verb 3. She seems happier now. A) helping/auxiliary verb 4. I thought of a good memory. A) helping/auxiliary verb B) main verb B) linking verb B) linking verb B) linking verb C) action verb C) action verb C) action verb C) action verb C) action verb C) action verb C) action verb C) action verb

5. The car turned the corner fast. A) helping/auxiliary verb B) linking verb 6. We will grow a garden next year. A) helping/auxiliary verb B) linking verb 7. I grow tired by the end of the day. A) helping/auxiliary verb B) linking verb 8. He stayed for practice after school. A) helping/auxiliary verb B) linking verb 9. She stayed mad at me for days. A) helping/auxiliary verb B) linking verb

10. Claire looked at all the questions on the exam. A) helping/auxiliary verb B) linking verb C) action verb PART 2 - DIRECTIONS: Tell if the action verb in the following sentences is: TRANSITIVE, if there is a transfer of action from the subject to a direct object that receives the action ... OR INTRANSITIVE because the subject itself receives the action. 11. Annabelle opened her present as fast as possible. A) transitive B) intransitive 12. The kids were all hoping for snow. A) transitive B) intransitive 13. We are not going to stay for the entire time. A) transitive B) intransitive
PART 3: DIRECTIONS: Underline all of the verb(s) in the following sentences but ONLY verbs and LABEL EACH by writing HV overtop if its a helping verb, LV if its a linking verb, and AV if its an action verb.

14. I have been studying very hard for this quiz. 15. I may not know everything about verbs yet, but at least more than before.