Parts of Speech: Verbs: Action Verbs, Linking Verbs, Helping Verbs (Auxiliary Verbs)

The Engine of the Sentence: Understanding Verbs

What are verbs?

Verbs are the action words in a sentence. They tell us what someone or something does, or what state they are in. Think of them as the engine that makes the sentence go!

Three Types of Verbs

1. Action Verbs: These verbs show us something happening – an action we can see or imagine.

   • Examples: run, jump, eat, sing, dance, think, dream

   • The cat jumped over the fence.

   • The students studied for the test.

2. Linking Verbs: These verbs don’t show action. Instead, they connect the subject of the sentence to a word or phrase that describes it.

   • Examples: am, is, are, was, were, become, seem, feel, look, sound, taste

   • The flowers are beautiful.

   • She feels happy.

3. Helping Verbs (Auxiliary Verbs): These verbs team up with the main verb to give us more information about the action. They help us talk about the past, present, and future.

   • Examples: am, is, are, was, were, have, has, had, do, does, did, will, shall, can, could, may, might, must, should, would

   • She is reading a book.

   • They have finished their homework.

   • He will go to the store tomorrow.

Let’s Practice!

1. Circle the Verbs:

   • Find and circle the verbs in the following sentences:
     • The sun shines brightly.
     • The birds are singing a sweet song.
     • I will eat a sandwich for lunch.

2. Identify the Verb Type:

   • Label each verb as an action verb (AV), linking verb (LV), or helping verb (HV):
     • The pizza tastes delicious. (LV)
     • He walks to school every day. (AV)
     • She has been practicing the piano. (HV, AV)

Challenge!

• Write three sentences about your day.
  • One sentence with an action verb.
  • One sentence with a linking verb.
  • One sentence with at least one helping verb.

Let me know if you’d like more examples or practice activities!