VERBSVERBSVerbs Verbs are words that express are words that express

action or state of being, and they action or state of being, and they are an essential part of a are an essential part of a

complete sentence.complete sentence.

There are three types of verbs:

Action verbsLinking verbsHelping verbs

ACTION VERBS

Action verbs are words that express action (ex: give, eat, walk, have, own, etc.)

LINKING VERB:

A linking verb connects the subject of a sentence to a noun or adjective that renames or describes it.

This noun or adjective is called the subject complement.

EXAMPLES:

Jason became a business major.(The verb, became, links the subject, Jason, to its complement, a business major.)

Lisa is my oldest sister.(The verb, is, links the subject, Lisa, to the subject complement, my oldest sister, which describes Lisa.)

To Be – the most common linking verb(am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been)

These verbs are often used as linking verbs*to taste *to appear*to smell *to stay*to sound *to remain*to feel *to prove*to look *to become*to seem

HELPING VERBS

Helping verbs (also called auxiliary verbs) are used with a main verb to convey the complete thought.

Verb phrases consist of one main verb and one or more helping verbs (also called auxiliary verbs).

The following words, called modals, always function as helping verbs:

can may must shall willcould might ought toshould would

*Modal verbs (helping verbs) are used with action verbs to give the verb more intention or possibility.

EXAMPLES:

Tanya could learn to fly helicopters. (Could helps the main verb, learn.)

Janine will drive to Idaho tomorrow. (Will helps the main verb, drive.)

To Be – am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been

To Do – do, does, didTo Have – have, has, had

Can work as action verbs, helping verbs or linking verbs

Helping Verb: Jana is moving to a new house.

Linking Verb: Jana is ready to go.

To Be – am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been

To Do – do, does, didTo Have – have, has, had

Can work as action verbs, helping verbs or linking verbs

Helping Verb: Dustin did eat his vegetables!

Action Verb: Dustin did his homework last night.

To Be – am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been

To Do – do, does, didTo Have – have, has, had

Can work as action verbs, helping verbs or linking verbs

Helping Verb: Erin has jumped off the cliff.

Action Verb: Erin has a good attitude.