This document defines and provides examples of three types of verbs: action verbs, helping verbs, and linking verbs. Action verbs describe actions, helping verbs help convey additional meaning about when an action occurred, and linking verbs link subjects to predicates by describing a state of being. Examples of each verb type are given along with sample sentences using the different verbs.

1. Notes for February 19,2013
What is a Verb?
-an action word or a word that assigns a state of being
Action Verbs Helping Verbs Linking Verbs
Are verbs that describe an action Are words that help a verb have Are verbs that link a subject with
more meaning(telling when it a predicate noun or adjective;
happened) they describe the person or
thing, they don’t describe action
Examples: Examples: Examples:
Run, swimming, jumping, seeing, Am, is, are, was, were, has been, Am, is, are, was, were, has been,
ate, watched, thought have been, will be, did, can, have been, will be, seems,
should, would, could, etc. appears, smells, feels, looks,
sounds, etc.
Sentences: Sentences: Sentences:
We thought about the question. You should run to the store. Bill looks tired.
Dogs are swimming in the pool. He did see the movie yesterday. Selma is a good friend.
The helping verb and action verb, when used together, are called a verb phrase.