2. Verbs
A verb is a word used to express action or a
state of being.
Categories:
1) Helping or main verbs
2) Main verbs are either action or linking verbs
3) Action verbs are either transitive or
intransitive
3. Helping Verbs
Helping verbs exist ONLY in a verb
phrase and are ANY and ALL of the
verbs that come BEFORE the main verb
and “help” the main verb to make sense.
4. Transitive and
Intransitive Verbs
Only an action verb can be labeled
transitive or intransitive.
An action verb is transitive only if it has a
direct object after it: Tim sang a song.
An action verb is intransitive if it has no
direct object after it: Tim sang loudly.
5. Linking Verbs
A linking verb
connects the
subject to a word
or word group that
renames or
describes the
subject.
6. Examples
The apple looks rotten.
“Looks” links the subject (apple) to the adjective
(rotten): rotten = apple
John is one of the great scientists in our area.
“Is” links the subject (John) to the adjective (one):
John = one
The flowers smell good.
“Smell” links the subject (flowers) to the adjective
(good): flowers = good
7. Linking Verbs
To find out if a verb is an action or linking verb
substitute a form of be in for the verb. If the sentence
still makes sense, it is usually a linking verb. If the
sentence doesn’t make sense, it is usually an action
verb.
Example: The ice cream tastes delicious.
Substitute a form of be: The ice cream is delicious.
Example: She tasted the ice cream.
Substitute a form of be: She is the ice cream.
*
{Forms of be and seem are always linking verbs.}
8. Commonly Used
Linking Verbs
Forms of Be:
am
be
being
was
are
been
is
were
Other Linking Verbs:
appear grow
seem
stay
become look
smell
taste
feel
sound
turn
remain
10. Action vs. Linking Verb
Examples
Joe plays baseball.
Joe is baseball. (the sentence does not make
sense …plays is an action verb )
The roses look pretty.
The roses are pretty. (the sentence makes
sense, so it is a linking verb)
When a verb is a linking verb, you can tell
because the predicate noun or predicate
adjective that follows it renames or describes
the subject.
11. Practice
What are the linking verbs in the
following sentences and what do
they connect?
The spectacular ocean appears
calm today.
The Wright Brothers are famous for
inventing the plane.
12. More Practice
The music sounds catchy.
The music sounds catchy.
The park seems crowded.
The park seems crowded.
13. Even More Practice
Jerry tasted the banana split.
Action verb
The banana split is tasty.
Linking verb
Jerry then traveled to the park.
Action verb
The park looks pretty.
Linking verb