Parts of Speech:What is a VERB?

English 7Mr. Holes

So, what is aVERB ?

A VERB is a word that expresses action or helps make a statement, telling something about the subject.

A VERB makes up the Predicate part of the sentence.

A VERB is one of the 8 parts of speech.

Parts of Speech: What is a VERB?

So, what kinds ofVERBS are there ?

Remember, a VERB shows action or helps make a statement

ACTION VERBS express mental or physical action.

Examples: jump, run, shout, say, bring, play, study

Parts of Speech: What is a Verb?

So, what kinds ofVERBS are there ?

Remember, a VERB shows action or helps make a statement

ACTION VERBS often occur in the present tense (occurring now) or the past tense (happened in the past).

Present Tense Examples: plan, sit, drive, fly, sneakPast Tense Examples: planned, sat, drove, flew, sneaked

Parts of Speech: What is a Verb?

So, what kinds ofVERBS are there ?

Remember, a VERB shows action or helps make a statement

ACTION VERBS must agree with their subjects in number (singular or plural)

Singular Examples: The student writes down notes.Plural Examples: Students write down notes.

Parts of Speech: What is a Verb?

So, what kinds ofVERBS are there ?

Remember, a VERB shows action or helps make a statement

HELPING VERBS work with an action verb to create a VERB PHRASE.

Examples: am, is, be, are, was, were, have, has, hadExample of a Verb Phrase: is snowing, are sleeping

Parts of Speech: What is a Verb?

So, what is a VERB PHRASE?

A VERB frequently has one or more helping verbs. These together make up a unit called a VERB PHRASE.

Examples: The students are taking a test today. My brother is going to the game.

That class has been harder than any others. We will be swimming all next summer.

Parts of Speech: What is a Verb?

So, what kinds ofVERBS are there ?

Remember, a VERB shows action or helps make a statement

LINKING VERBS help make a statement by connecting the subject with a word in the predicate that

describes it or explains it.

Examples: can be, have been, become, appear, stay, seem, remain, look, feel

Parts of Speech: What is a Verb?

So, what kinds ofVERBS are there ?

Remember, a VERB shows action or helps make a statement

A COMPLEMENT is a word (or words) in the predicate part of the sentence that completes the meaning of the subject.

Examples: Mr. Holes is our teacher. (Mr. Holes = teacher)The students were excited. (students = excited)

Parts of Speech: What is a Verb?

Why should we use VERBS in our writing? – which sounds better:

“Troubled students united in a task force to tackle the bullying issue plaguing our school.”

“A group was formed to help students with bullying.”

- or -

Why should we use VERBS in our writing?

Customize this editing technique to your writing. Use strong action verbs to convey the exact meaning of your sentence and provide the reader with specific images.

The first example’s is pretty boring, isn’t it? The helping verb doesn’t add much action.

How can using VERBS help you?

• Communicating your ideas clearly• Demonstrating you have control

over your writing• Making your writing

more exciting &fun to read

What do we think of authors or writers who don’t use

interesting VERBS?• They do not proofread.• They are lazy

(and probably boring).• They do not take the time

to re-read their work.• They don’t care if the

reader enjoys their writing

Knowing the Parts of Speech IS Important!!!

•For knowledge•For a job•For education•For clarity•For communication