Parts of Speech

Verbs

Verbs• Verb – a word that expresses action or

a state of being• The verb says something about the

subject• Every sentence must have a verb!

• Verbs are Classified into 3 types:

• 1. main or helping• 2. action or linking• 3. transitive or intransitive verbs

Main Verbs

• Main – single word that is used to express the action or state of being

• Ex: jump, walk, think

• Ex:– The dog barked all night.– Since only one verb is used, it is the main

verb.

Helping Verbs

• Helping/Auxiliary – helps the main verb to express action or a state of being

• The dog has been barking all night.• The helping verbs has and been assist (or

help) the main verb barking.

• Ex:– can speak– will learn– should have been fed

Common Helping Verbs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca2MoQvv8FA&feature=fvsr

Or to another tune….

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F2JWKY63K0

Verb phrase

• Verb Phrase: the main verb and its helping verb put together

• Ex:

• Many students can speak Spanish.

• I will be learning all the state capitals tonight.

• The dog should have been fed by now.

Common Verb Phrases

• See how many you can make using main and helping verbs you know!

Note:• Sometimes the verb phrase is interrupted by another

part of speech

• Ex: • Suzanne should not call so late at night.• The verb phrase should call is interrupted by the adverb

not.

• The scientists didn’t think the asteroid would hit the earth.

• The verb phrase did think is interrupted by –n’t.

• Did you watch the new video?• The verb phrase Did watch is interrupted by the subject

you.

Action Verbs

• Action Verbs – expresses either physical or mental activity

• Ex: • Physical activity:• I have used a computer in math class.• Please cook dinner, Jerome.

• Mental activity:• Fran understands the science assignment.• The Magician is thinking of a number.

Linking Verb

• Linking Verbs – connects, or links, the subject to a word or word group that identifies or describes the subject.

• Ex: • Sandra Cisneros is a writer.• The verb is connects writer with the subject Sandra Cisneros.

• The fireflies are beautiful.• The verb phrase are connects beautiful with the subject fireflies.

• The new superintendent was she.• The verb was connects she with the subject superintendent.

Other examples

• Linking verbs that form the verb be:• Am• Is• Are• Was• Were• Has been• Have been• May be• Can be• Should be• Would have been

• Other linking verbs:• Appear• Grow• Seem• Stay• Become• Look• Smell• Taste• Feel• Remain• Sound • turn

SOME WORDS CAN BE USED AS EITHER Linking or action

verbs!

• They sounded the bell for a fire drill.

• Mom sounded happy about her new job.

• The judge will look at my science project.

• Ann will look funny in her gorilla costume.

Here’s a Test to tell the difference!

1. Remove the verb from the sentence The judge ____________ at my project. 1. Replace it with one of these words

(is/are/was/were) depending on the tense.The judge is at my science project.

1. If the sentence still makes sense, the verb you took out was a LINKING verb.

2. If the sentence doesn’t make sense, the verb you took out was an ACTION verb.

So what are these?

• Mom sounds happy on the phone

• LINKING

• They always sound the bell for lunch.

• Action

• The judge will look at my science project.

ACTION

• Ann will look funny in her gorilla costume.

LINKING

PRACTICEIdentify the verb.

Tell whether the verb used is an ACTION or a LINKING verb.

• The alphabet chart is helpful linking.• is - linking

• Many people communicate with these letters.• Communicate - action

• Many people use forms of sign language.• Use - action

• At first, it may be a challenge.• May be - linking

• Football players sometimes give signals in sign language.• Give - action