Verbs
Every sentence has a main verb, the word or words that tell what the subject does or that link the subject to another word that describes it. Verbs do not always immediately follow the subject: Other words may come between the subject and the verb.
There are three kinds of verbs — action verbs, linking verbs, and helping verbs.
ACTION VERBS
An action verb tells what action the subject performs.
To find the main action verb in a sentence, ask yourself, “What action does the subject perform?”
ACTION VERBS
The baby cried all night.
The building collapsed around midnight.
After work, we often go to Tallie’s.
My aunt and uncle train service dogs.
LINKING VERBS
A linking verb connects (links) the subject to a word or group of words that describes the subject. Linking verbs show no action. The most common linking verb is be, along with all its forms (am, is, are, and so on). Other linking verbs, such as seem and become, can usually be replaced by the corresponding form of be, and the sentence will still make sense.
To find linking verbs, ask yourself, “What word joins the subject and the words that describe the subject?”
LINKING VERBS
The dinner is delicious.
I felt great this morning.
This lasagna tastes just like my mother’s.
The doctor looks extremely tired.
Some words can be either action verbs or linking verbs, depending on how they are used in a particular sentence.
| ACTION VERB | The dog smelled Jake’s shoes. |
| LINKING VERB | The dog smelled terrible. |
Common Linking Verbs
| FORMS OF BE | FORMS OF BECOME AND SEEM | FORMS OF SENSE VERBS |
|---|---|---|
| am | become, becomes | appear, appears |
| are | became | appeared |
| is | seem, seems | feel, feels, felt |
| was | seemed | look, looks |
| were | looked | |
| smell, smells | ||
| smelled | ||
| taste, tastes, tasted |
HELPING VERBS
A helping verb joins with the main verb in the sentence to form the complete verb. The helping verb is often a form of the verb be, have, or do. A sentence may have more than one helping verb along with the main verb.
HELPING VERBS + MAIN VERBS
Sunil was talking on his cell phone. [The helping verb is was, and the main verb is talking. The complete verb is was talking.]
Charisse is taking three courses this semester.
Tomas has missed the last four meetings.
My brother might have passed the test.
Common Helping Verbs
| FORMS OF BE | FORMS OF HAVE | FORMS OF DO | OTHER |
|---|---|---|---|
| am | have | do | can |
| are | has | does | could |
| been | had | did | may |
| being | might | ||
| is | must | ||
| was | should | ||
| were | will | ||
| would |