VERB EXERCISES

Find the verbs in the following sentences. They are action verbs.
1. The wolf ran across the sand.
2. Sit down.
3. The dog barked at the man.

Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

Decide whether the following verbs are transitive, intransitive or both:

1. The workmen have been painting for hours.

2. When they call from the charity, Mrs. Alpert always gives generously.
3. Before you send the proposal, make sure you edit it carefully.
4. That perfume smells nice.
5. My new car cost me a small fortune.
6. Jim owed his landlord $450.
7. Pete emigrated from Australia in 1998.
8. The customer was tired of waiting, so he got up and left.
9. Are you sure you want to paint the ceiling too?
10. Please take the documents over to Mrs. Samuels' office.

Fill in the blanks with 'is' or 'are'.

1. The natives of this island _____ a friendly people.

2. Here _____ some work for you to do.
3. _____ they waiting for the bus?
4. The twin _____ as tall as the other.
5. _____your parents sleeping now?
6. There _____ a large amount of flour in the sack.
7. Liverpool _____ a great football team.
8. One of his nephews_____ getting married.
9. The rug _____ covered with cat hairs.
10. The deer _____fighting.
Pick out the verbs in these sentences and tell whether they are action verbs or linking verbs.
1. Suddenly someone sneezed loudly
2. There are holes in my shirt
3. He appears happy
4. The image appeared in the mirror

Insert correct linking verbs into these sentences.

1. She ……. fine.
2. He …. the best soccer player in the world
3. She ….. great in her new performance last night.
4. He ……. confused.
5. That ……….. fantastic.
6. He …… tired of running a few minutes ago.

Choose the correct word in parentheses.

1. This math problem looks (easy, easily).
2. The sky grew (dark, darkly) as the storm approached.
3. I felt (sad, sadly) when I heard the news.
4. The room got (quiet, quietly) when the professor entered.
5. The soup tastes (good, well)

What are the verb phrases in these sentences?

1. You are going to Seattle.
2. You have been resting too much.
3. We must be early.
4. I will have finished the article by tomorrow.

Find the verbs or verb phrases in these sentences.

1. She has too many friends.
2. You do beautiful work.
3. I was in Canada last week.
4. You are being very stubborn.

List the verbs or verb phrases in the sentences, and tell whether they are action verbs or state of
being verbs. For extra credit, find the helping verbs.

1. Jim plays basketball.

2. They will return on the airplane.
3. Badger is a funny dog.
4. I have been here a long time.
5. I should have been playing the drum.
6. Go home.

Fill the gaps to complete the phrasal verb in each sentence.

1. We went round the school and ……… up all the rubbish.

2. I don't think they ever ………. out how the man escaped.
3. This milk smells horrible; I think it has ……. off.
4. They had a bad relationship at first; but she …… on very well with him now.
5. I'm afraid this photocopier has …… out of paper.
6. We can …… until the teacher tells us to stop.

Find out the meanings of phrasal verbs in each sentence.

1. Can we leave out this question?
2. You had to make up a story.
3. Don't wait out there. Please come in.
4. The children are growing up.
5. I'm going to stay in this evening.
6. The car broke down on the motorway.
7. It took her a long time to get over her illness.
8. I had to go to the shop to pick up my photos.
9. In the end he had to put out the fire.
10. Thieves broke into the house and took all my money.

List the contractions in the following sentences.

1. I've done it again
2. You aren't going with us
3. She's staying to tend the kids

Find the verb phrases in each sentence. Determine if the verb phrases are action verbs or state of
being verbs.
1. I've done it again
2. You aren't going with us
3. She's taking care of the kids
In sentences that are questions, the verb phrase is often separated by another word. Find the verb
phrases in these sentences. Be sure to watch for another word separating the helping verb form
the main verb.
1. Have you been driving long?
2. Where was the car parked?
3. Can I be of assistance?

What are the verb phrases in the three sentences? Are the verbs action verbs or state of being
verbs?
1. You have not helped your father today.
2. I will soon be home.
3. The child had suddenly choked on the food.

Find the missing verb in each of these sentences. It is possible to have more than one answer.
1. It was a terrible thing to say to him, but she refused to _________.
2. If you don't understand the instructions, someone will explain ________________.
3. She didn't know the way but I ______________ how to get there.
4. We read the book for homework and discussed_____________________.
5. Some of us were getting hungry so I suggested _____________________.
6. I didn't want to go at first but he ____________________ me.
7. He wasn't satisfied with the course, so he went to the Principal to _______________.
8. She wasn't feeling very well and the teacher advised ________________.

Not and its contracted form n't are never part of the verb. Pick out the verb phrases in these
sentences.
1. The game will not be finished for another hour.
2. The horse shouldn't have been worked so much.
3. Wouldn't you give me another chance?

Find the verb or verb phrases in these sentences. Take note of the different verb forms for come
and sent.
1. I am coming in the morning.
2. I came as soon as possible.
3. She comes by every day.
4. Send me the package in the mail.
5. The new part was sent to me.
6. I am sending Jeff with the neighbors.
Find the verb phrases and tell what kind of verbs they are.
1. I can understand your concern.
2. Is Mrs. Johnson going with you?
3. The rooms cannot be held any longer.
4. I haven't seen him for an hour.

Answer each question whether it is true or false.

1. Verbs never change form.
2. A verb is never just one word.
3. Verb phrases keep a definite order.
4. There are twenty-three helping verbs.
5. Helping verbs cannot be the main verb.
6. Helping verbs can be action verbs.
7. Verb phrases can have three helping verbs.
8. Verbs can be in contracted form.
9. State of being verbs show action.
10. Verbs are the most important words in a sentence.