1. Name That Verb!
1
• Action Verbs
• Linking Verbs
• Helping/Main Verbs
© Brent Coley 2008 | www.mrcoley.com

2. There are different
types of verbs.
Some show action,
and some don’t.

3. An action verb shows
action. It tells what
the subject of the
sentence does.

4. Action Verbs
Bill hit the ball.
The cat purred softly.
I walk to school.
Susan spoke to me.

5. A linking verb links,
or connects, the
subject to the
predicate. It does
not show action.

6. Common Linking
Verbs
am is are was
were be been
seems feels tastes

7. Linking Verbs
We are hungry.
He was late to school.
The winner is Johnny.
The rose smells good.

8. A helping verb helps
a main verb. The
helping verb comes
before the main verb.

9. Helping/Main Verbs
I am eating my lunch.
Ed has taken the test.
We were talking.

10. Practice Time
In the following
sentences, see if you
can identify the verb.

11. Ready?
Let’s get started!

12. They are watching
television.

13. They are watching
television.
Verb: are watching

14. They are watching
television.
Verb: are watching
Type: helping/main

15. Frank was tired after
work.

16. Frank was tired after
work.
Verb: was

17. Frank was tired after
work.
Verb: was
Type: linking verb

18. My dad drove his car to
the store.

19. My dad drove his car to
the store.
Verb: drove

20. My dad drove his car to
the store.
Verb: drove
Type: action verb

21. Finding Nemo is her
favorite movie.

22. Finding Nemo is her
favorite movie.
Verb: is

23. Finding Nemo is her
favorite movie.
Verb: is
Type: linking verb

24. I did my homework
right after school.

25. I did my homework
right after school.
Verb: did

26. I did my homework
right after school.
Verb: did
Type: action verb

27. Ann was cooking
dinner in the kitchen.

28. Ann was cooking
dinner in the kitchen.
Verb: was cooking

29. Ann was cooking
dinner in the kitchen.
Verb: was cooking
Type: helping/main

30. The boys were playing
in the park.

31. The boys were playing
in the park.
Verb: were playing

32. The boys were playing
in the park.
Verb: were playing
Type: helping/main

33. Sarah competed in the
track meet.

34. Sarah competed in the
track meet.
Verb: competed

35. Sarah competed in the
track meet.
Verb: competed
Type: action verb

36. The ocean water tastes
salty.

37. The ocean water tastes
salty.
Verb: tastes

38. The ocean water tastes
salty.
Verb: tastes
Type: linking verb

39. Thomas raised his
hand.

40. Thomas raised his
hand.
Verb: raised

41. Thomas raised his
hand.
Verb: raised
Type: action verb

42. The teacher answered
his question.

43. The teacher answered
his question.
Verb: answered

44. The teacher answered
his question.
Verb: answered
Type: action verb

45. Randy is studying for
his grammar test.

46. Randy is studying for
his grammar test.
Verb: is studying

47. Randy is studying for
his grammar test.
Verb: is studying
Type: helping/main

48. They will be late to the
party.

49. They will be late to the
party.
Verb: will be

50. They will be late to the
party.
Verb: will be
Type: linking verb

51. I am thirsty after all that
running.

52. I am thirsty after all that
running.
Verb: am

53. I am thirsty after all that
running.
Verb: am
Type: linking verb

54. We have learned a lot
about verbs.

55. We have learned a lot
about verbs.
Verb: have learned

56. We have learned a lot
about verbs.
Verb: have learned
Type: helping/main