A verb is a word that expresses action.
Verb
• every sentence has a main verb
• in many sentences, a single word
is all that is needed to express the
action
Verb
An action verb expresses either
physical or mental activity.
PHYSICAL
Please cook dinner, Jerry.
MENTAL
Francesca understands the
science experiment.
EXAMPLES
Verb
The dog barked all night.
Brandon throws the ball a long way.
TIP
“What is the action?”
Verb
In some sentences, the verb consists of a
main verb and one or more helping verbs.
• a helping verb helps the main verb to
express action
EXAMPLES
can speak
will learn
should have been fed
Verb
I had called my grandmother already.
Had is helping the main verb called.
I have used a computer in math class.
Have is helping the main verb used.
Verb
Remember, a verb cannot be a helping
verb unless there is another verb for it to
help.
EXAMPLE
They had a good time at the nature
center.
Had is the only verb; there is no other verb for
it to help.
Verb
Together, the main verb and its helping
verb or verbs is called a verb phrase.
EXAMPLES
Many students can speak Spanish.
I will be learning all the state capitals tonight.
The dog should have been fed by now.
The magician is thinking of a number.
Commonly Used Helping Verbs
be
was
has
do
am
were
have
does
is
been
had
did
are
can
will
might
could
would
must
shall
may
being
should