Name That Verb Action Verbs Linking Verbs HelpingMain

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ready? Let’s get started!

They are watching television.

They are watching television. Verb: are watching

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

Frank was tired after work.

Frank was tired after work. Verb: was

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

My dad drove his car to the store.

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

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

Finding Nemo is her favorite movie.

Finding Nemo is her favorite movie. Verb: is

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

I did my homework right after school.

I did my homework right after school. Verb: did

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

Ann was cooking dinner in the kitchen.

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

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

The boys were playing in the park.

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

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

Sarah competed in the track meet.

Sarah competed in the track meet. Verb: competed

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

The ocean water tastes salty.

The ocean water tastes salty. Verb: tastes

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

Thomas raised his hand.

Thomas raised his hand. Verb: raised

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

The teacher answered his question.

The teacher answered his question. Verb: answered

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

Randy is studying for his grammar test.

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

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

They will be late to the party.

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

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

I am thirsty after all that running.

I am thirsty after all that running. Verb: am

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

We have learned a lot about verbs.

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

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

Great job!