This document discusses different types of verbs: action verbs that show action, linking verbs that connect subjects and predicates without showing action, and helping verbs that assist main verbs. It provides examples of each verb type and has students identify verbs in sample sentences as action, linking, or helping/main verbs. Practice sentences are presented with the targeted verb highlighted for identification.

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

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. The ocean water
tastes salty.

34. The ocean water
tastes salty.
Verb: tastes

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

36. Thomas raised his
hand.

37. Thomas raised his
hand.
Verb: raised

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

39. The teacher
answered his
question.

40. The teacher
answered his
question.
Verb: answered

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

42. Randy is studying
for his grammar
test.

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

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

45. They will be late to
the party.

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

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

48. I am thirsty after all
that running.

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

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

51. We have learned a
lot about verbs.

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

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

54. Great job!