2. Objectives:
• To identify verbs and verb tenses
• To distinguish between action and
linking verbs
• To distinguish between transitive
and intransitive verbs
• To use the appropriate type of verb
or verb phrase and verb tense in
writing
3. Definition
• A verb is a word that expresses
action or a state of being and is a
necessary part of a sentence.
5. Action
• Mental action –
think
• Physical action –
run
• Transitive – has an
object
• Intransitive – does
not have an object
An action verb tells what someone or
something does
6. Transitive
• An action verb that is followed by a
word or words that answer the
question what or whom.
• Example:
– Tom slapped Tim.
• Tom slapped who? Tim.
7. Intransitive
• An action verb that is not followed by
a word that answers the question what
or whom.
• Example:
– My dog ran away yesterday.
• The words away and yesterday answer the
questions when and where, not what or who.
– The thief left quickly.
• The word quickly answers the question how,
not what or who.
8. Linking
• A linking verb links or joins the
subject of a sentence with a word or
expression that identifies or
describes the subject.
– Examples:
• John is tall.
• The milk was spoiled.
9. Verb Phrase
• A verb phrase consists of a main verb and
all its auxiliary, or helping verbs.
– Auxiliary verbs are the words that accompany
the main verb
• To be
• To have
• Example:
– Tom is riding his bike to school.
– Jerry has been in the hospital all week.
– The A/C has been running all night.
10. Verbs
• A verb is a word that expresses action or
a state of being.
– Linking
• Link something is the subject to something in the
predicate
– Action
• Transitive – what or who
• Intransitive
– Verb Phrases
• To be
• To have
