TYPES of VERBS

A verb is a part of speech that expresses action or existence.For example: Action: I threw the ball to my brother

I thought about my birthdayExistence: I am a college student, [also called "state of being" or "linking" verbs)

Action and Linking VerbsAn action verb expresses some action. They can be physical actions [to tag, to speak, to touch) ormental actions [to think, to hope, to wonder.)

Verbs that express existence are called linking verbs. These connect (or link) the subject of thesentence with a word in the other half of the sentence that describes or identifies it. If you canreplace the verb with a form of the verb "to be" such as is, was, were, or if you can place an equal signthere, it is a linking verb.

For example: Andrew appeared tan. Does it make sense to say "Andrew was tan" or "Andrew = tan?"Yes, so appeared is a linking verb.

How do I recognize a verb?In many cases, you will be able to do it easily. There will be an action (even it is a mental action suchas thinking.) Or if is a linking verb, you will see that there is a word that you could substitute anequal sign for.

Practice Exercise # 1: Underline the verb. Next to it write whether it is action or linking.

1. Juan looked at his mother. Q.cA^c><^

2. The shark took the bait. &C?rt&r\

3. The rain fell for six hours. ClC-Hc^^

4. The sun appeared on the horizon. \irvV.t^<

5. The horse looked tired. linV^rt<

6. She wondered about the Physics test.

7. Manfred ^ hungry. l'ir\,|^.in<

8. Danny swallowed the food. OQ^on

9. The principal admired his students' discussion.

10. The bus driver drqye all night to get there in time.

Helping VerbsHelping verbs are verbs that come before a main verb and "help" the main verb. They add moreinformation or make the verb more specific.For example: Will skated on the pond. No helping verb.

Will has skated on the pond. One helping verb.Will has been skating on the pond. Two helping verbs.

In these cases skated is the main verb.

The main verb, plus the helping verbs is called the verb phrase.

The most common helping verbs are "be, am, are, is, was, were, being, been, can, could, have,has,had, will, would, do, does, did, shall, should, may, might, must."

Practice Exercise # 2: Circle the main verb. Underline the verb phrase (verb plus helping verbs).

1. Frank should have(callec? us.

2. I will ^nswei^Xhe phone.

3. The teacher has been (.ailing for a few days.

4. I mavtruiTjtwo miles tomorrow.

5. I would haveCme^her at the fair.

6. She doeAliav^ a sister.

7. The students could hav^jnad^ it.

8. You must ^nswe? all of the questions.

9. We are^goin^to the mall tomorrow.

10. We have not(&Qi^^ our study of the solar system.

11. Everyone had quietl^gon^to bed.

12. It must haveQ^me^all night.

13. We are(^oing)3ut for dinner after the play.

14.1 was^ritinDa story at my desk.

15. My brother is<cymimg>in the track meet.

16. Kate and I have never^l^te^at the park.

17. The small plane<^nded)in the field.

18. My Dad wil!^ to Florida in April.