Kinds

of

Verbs

What is a verb?

A verb is the main

word in the

predicate of a

sentence.

It tells what the

subject of the

sentence does.

Main Verb

The main verb tells what the subject does.

It is often an action word.

The action can be ‘done’.

Example:

Patrick scrubs the wooden floor.

Linking Verb

A linking verb links or joins the subject with a word or words in the predicate that tell what the subject is or like.

A linking verb is also called a helping verb or an auxiliary verb.

Example:

The bread smells wonderful.

Kayleen is hungry.

Linking Verb

Linking verbs are forms of ‘be verbs’, such

as: am, is, are, was and were.

Become, seem, appear, feel, taste, smell

and look can be linking verbs.

Linking Verb

A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb.

It identifies or explains the subject.

Example:

Angelo is the leader of the team.

“Leader” is the predicate nominative.

Modal A modal is a type of helping

or auxiliary verb that is used to show likelihood, ability, permission and obligation.

This will include the following: shall, should, would, can, could, may, might, must.

Example:

Ian should return the book.

Kyela could attend the party.

Principal Parts of Regular Verbs

A verb’s tenses are made from four basic forms.

These basic forms are called the verb’s principal parts.

The past and past participle are formed by adding –ed or –d to the verb.

The present participle is formed by adding –ing.

The present participle and past participle are always used with a helping verb.

Present Present

Participle

Past Past Participle

watch am, is, are

watching

watched has, have, had

watched

Principal Parts of Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs usually change their spelling.

Present Present

Participle

Past Past Participle

write am, is, are

writing

wrote has, have, had

Written

eat am, is, are

eating

ate has, have, had

eaten

ring am, is, are

ringing

rang has, have, had

Rung

see am, is, are

seeing

saw has, have, had

seen

Verbs, Objects, and Subject Complements

A direct object follows an action verb and

tells who or what receives the action of the

verb.

Example:

Henry Bacon designed the Memorial for the

American people in 1912.

“Memorial” is the direct object.

Verbs, Objects, and Subject Complements

An indirect object follows an action verb

and tells to whom or what the action of the

verb is done.

Example:

Henry Bacon designed the Memorial for the

American people in 1912.

“American people” is the indirect object.

Verbs, Objects, and Subject Complements

A subject complement follows a linking verb and tells who or what the subject is or like.

Example:

At nineteen feet high, the statue is very imposing.

“Imposing” is the subject complement.

Verbs, Objects, and Subject Complements

A noun used as a subject complement is a predicate noun.

Example:

Patrick is the captain of the team.

An adjective used as a subject complement is a predicate adjective.

Example:

The waves look calm.