Prentice Hall
Writing and Grammar
Chapter 15
Verbs
Verbs
• A verb expresses the action or condition of a
person, place, or thing.
• A verb can be one word or several words,
which would form a verb phrase.
Look at the verbs:
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The archaeologist digs.
The ruins were spectacular.
She is walking to school.
He should have been walking, too.
This vase feels smooth.
Homer wrote the poem.
Using Action Verbs
• An action verb indicates the action of a
person or thing.
• The action can be visible or mental (invisible).
Look at the verbs:
• The audience applauded the performers.
(visible)
• Nancy reads history books. (visible)
• The students understand the assignment.
(mental)
• Everyone believes you. (mental)
Using Linking Verbs
• A linking verb connects a noun or pronoun
to a word that identifies or describes the
noun or pronoun.
• No action happens!
• Common linking verbs are:
appear
become
feel
grow
look
remain
taste
seem
turn
smell
sound
stay
Distinguishing Between Action
Verbs and Linking Verbs
• Action verbs: The subject
Look at linking verbs:
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Laura is the historian.
Elliot was ready.
The chief remained calm.
They look ready to go.
Distinguishing Between Action
Verbs and Linking Verbs
• Actions verbs  The subject is doing the
action of the verb.
• Linking verbs  There is no action
happening. The subject is being linked to
a word or words behind the verb.
Look at the action and linking
verbs:
• The tyrant felt threatened.
(The tyrant was threatened  linking verb.)
• The tyrant felt the edge of the sword.
(The tyrant did the action of feeling the edge of the sword  action verb.)
• The people grew unhappy.
(The people were unhappy  linking verb.)
• The people grew poor crops.
(The people did the action of growing the poor crops  action verb.)
Helping Verbs
• A helping verb is a verb that comes before
the main verb and adds to its meaning.
• A helping verb comes in front of the main
verb, thus forming a verb phrase.
• Sometimes, in questions, the helping
verb(s) and main verb are separated by
the subject of the sentence. (Are you walking to
school?)
Common Helping Verbs
am
are
is
was
were
be
being
been
have
has
had
can
could
do
does
did
may
might
must
shall
should
will
would
Look at the helping and main
verbs:
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He was leading the Romans.
He had been leading the Romans.
He should have been leading the Romans.
Should he have been leading the Romans?
Will he be walking to school tomorrow?
I might go to the store today.