1. Kinds of VerbsKinds of Verbs

2. As you know, every sentence has twoAs you know, every sentence has two
parts, the subject and the predicate.parts, the subject and the predicate.
The key word in the predicate is theThe key word in the predicate is the verb.verb.
TheThe verbverb tells what the subject of thetells what the subject of the
sentence is, has, does, or feels.sentence is, has, does, or feels.
BurtBurt worksworks at the park.at the park.
HeHe trimstrims the trees.the trees.
HeHe lovesloves his job.his job.
HeHe paintspaints the benches.the benches.

3. Action VerbsAction Verbs
Most verbs areMost verbs are action verbsaction verbs. Some. Some
action verbs refer to physical action thataction verbs refer to physical action that
can be seen by other people.can be seen by other people.
Others refer to mental action that cannotOthers refer to mental action that cannot
be seen.be seen.
Physical Action: The gardenerPhysical Action: The gardener feedsfeeds thethe
ducks.ducks.
Mental Action: SheMental Action: She likeslikes the migrating birdsthe migrating birds
best.best.

4. Being VerbsBeing Verbs
Other verbs express a state ofOther verbs express a state of beingbeing..
These verbs do not refer to action of anyThese verbs do not refer to action of any
sort. They simply tell what the subject is.sort. They simply tell what the subject is.
BurtBurt isis the gardener’s assistant.the gardener’s assistant.
HeHe seemsseems afraid of the swans.afraid of the swans.
One swanOne swan lookslooks angry.angry.
In fact, swansIn fact, swans areare hungry.hungry.

5. The most common being verbs areThe most common being verbs are
forms offorms of bebe itself.itself.
AmAm
isis
AreAre
WasWas
WereWere
BeBe
BeingBeing
beenbeen

6. Other being verbs:Other being verbs:
 AppearAppear
 BecomeBecome
 FeelFeel
 GrowGrow
 LookLook
 SeemSeem
 RemainRemain
 SmellSmell
 SoundSound
 StayStay
 tastetaste

7. Identify each verb in the sentencesIdentify each verb in the sentences
below. Does it express action orbelow. Does it express action or
being?being?
1.1. We parked and locked our bicycles in the rack at theWe parked and locked our bicycles in the rack at the
library.library.
2.2. Many, many resources were available there.Many, many resources were available there.
3.3. I considered several books about wild animals.I considered several books about wild animals.
4.4. All of the books looked interesting.All of the books looked interesting.
5.5. Finally, I decided on one about tropical birds.Finally, I decided on one about tropical birds.
6.6. The book described many birds from countries inThe book described many birds from countries in
Central and South America.Central and South America.
7.7. I especially liked the photographs in the book.I especially liked the photographs in the book.
8.8. The pictures of the birds are very colorful.The pictures of the birds are very colorful.
9.9. Some of the birds’ feathers are pink, orange, red, andSome of the birds’ feathers are pink, orange, red, and
green.green.
10.10. I carried the book home in my backpack.I carried the book home in my backpack.

8. Linking VerbsLinking Verbs
A verb that expresses a state of beingA verb that expresses a state of being
often functions as aoften functions as a linking verblinking verb..
A linking verbA linking verb linkslinks, or connects, the, or connects, the
subject with a noun or an adjective in thesubject with a noun or an adjective in the
predicate that names or describes thepredicate that names or describes the
subject.subject.
PeanutPeanut isis a toad.a toad.
PeanutPeanut isis tiny.tiny.

9. Some verbs can function as eitherSome verbs can function as either
linking verbs or action verbs.linking verbs or action verbs.
Linking VerbsLinking Verbs Action VerbsAction Verbs
The lily pondThe lily pond smellssmells
stagnant.stagnant.
The squirrelThe squirrel smellssmells itsits
food.food.
The gardenerThe gardener feltfelt tired.tired. SheShe feltfelt the tree’s thickthe tree’s thick
leaves.leaves.

10. To help you decide whether one of theseTo help you decide whether one of these
verbs is a linking verb, try substitutingverbs is a linking verb, try substituting isis oror
areare for the verb. If the sentence still makesfor the verb. If the sentence still makes
sense, the verb is probably a linking verb.sense, the verb is probably a linking verb.
The pigeons look comical. (The pigeons areThe pigeons look comical. (The pigeons are
comical)comical)
The swan’s hiss sounds fierce. (The swan’sThe swan’s hiss sounds fierce. (The swan’s
hiss is fierce)hiss is fierce)

11. Which sentence in each of theWhich sentence in each of the
following pairs contains a linkingfollowing pairs contains a linking
verb.verb.
 11. A monkey appears from behind a tree. It11. A monkey appears from behind a tree. It
appears excited.appears excited.
 12. The young deer grew taller. The male deer12. The young deer grew taller. The male deer
grew antlers.grew antlers.
 13. The koala baby looks cute. It looks for its13. The koala baby looks cute. It looks for its
mother.mother.
 14. The koala tastes a leaf. Does it taste good?14. The koala tastes a leaf. Does it taste good?
 15. We smell the eucalyptus tree. It smells15. We smell the eucalyptus tree. It smells
pleasant.pleasant.
 16. We feel the tree’s bark. It feels smooth.16. We feel the tree’s bark. It feels smooth.

12. List the verbs in the sentencesList the verbs in the sentences
below. Label each verb action orbelow. Label each verb action or
being.being.
 17. Photographs, television, and movies show us a17. Photographs, television, and movies show us a
variety of unusual creatures.variety of unusual creatures.
 18. We can see animals in their natural habitat in18. We can see animals in their natural habitat in
national parks, nature sanctuaries, or even city parks.national parks, nature sanctuaries, or even city parks.
 19. Few animals look strange to us today.19. Few animals look strange to us today.
 20. Some animals still seem unusual, however.20. Some animals still seem unusual, however.
 21. The anteater is one example.21. The anteater is one example.
 22. The head and snout of this animal form a long tube.22. The head and snout of this animal form a long tube.
 23. A giant anteater becomes six feet long.23. A giant anteater becomes six feet long.
 24. It grows a coarse coat of hair.24. It grows a coarse coat of hair.
 25. The front toes and claws of the anteater fold under.25. The front toes and claws of the anteater fold under.
 26. The animal actually walks on its knuckles.26. The animal actually walks on its knuckles.

13. List the verbs in the sentencesList the verbs in the sentences
below. Label each verb action orbelow. Label each verb action or
being.being.
27. The giant anteater usually appears27. The giant anteater usually appears
shy.shy.
28. It enjoys dark, wet tropical forests.28. It enjoys dark, wet tropical forests.
29. Ants and termites appear in this29. Ants and termites appear in this
animal’s diet.animal’s diet.
30. The anteater is a peaceful animal.30. The anteater is a peaceful animal.