Grammar: Action, Linking, and Helping Verbs

Read Through the following and then complete the assignment at the bottom.

Verb Review

A verb tells of an action or state of being.

 

There are verbs that indicate action. These are called action verbs, it tells that something is happening, has happened, or will happen.

Examples:

Chase shouted.

The birds flew away from the 8th graders.

 

There are also verbs that tells something is existing (or state of being). These are the linking verbs, they link the subject with some other word (often an adjective) or words in the sentence.

Example of commonly used linking verbs:

be (am, are, is, was, were, been, being)

Cody is working hard, I’m sure.

Braeden feels sick, but he’s also working hard.

 

Verbs that are made up of  a main verb and another helping verb is called verb phrases.

Besides the commonly used verbs (mentioned above), helping verbs also include these words:

has                  shall                 may                 could               do

have                will                   should              might               did

had                  can                  would               must                does

Ex:

All of the 8th graders have finished their spelling words by now.

For further review your may go to this website:

http://www.education.com/study-help/article/verb-types/


and review the difference between ACTION, LINKING, and HELPING verbs.

Then, on your own paper, complete the following questions 8-22:

Action or Linking Verbs

Determine whether the boldfaced verbs in the following sentences are action or linking verbs.

  1. It appears that the only solution to this problem is starting over,” said Trudy.
  2. “The group appears dismayed at that prospect,” she thought to herself.
  3. Dennis was asked to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the butler did it.
  4. There was no doubt in his adversary’s mind that his argument would prove faulty.
  5. The sign says to stay behind the line when viewing the work of art.
  6. We stayed quiet while the tour guide explained the painting.
  7. We tasted the orange sherbet and ordered a pint to take home.
  8. We decided that it tasted delicious.

Verb Phrases

Identify the verb phrases in the following sentences. (First one has been done.)

  1. We could have driven to the city, but we took the train instead.
  2. Nancy would not have thrown the paper away if she had known it was important.
  3. William had already read the book twice, so he must have easily discussed it with the teacher.
  4. Next time, if you should need help, please feel free to ask. I would be very happy to help.
  5. The dealer will go to the flea market to find good antique deals.
  6. I didn’t realize that she had already gone; otherwise, I would have given her the money earlier.
  7. The skier might have won the race had she not gotten her pole stuck in the snow.






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