Name: ______Block: ______Date: ______

Verbs

Verbs: Action (Transitive/Intransitive)

A verb is a word that expresses action or state of being and is necessary to make a statement. An action verb tells what someone or something does. Some action verbs express physical action. Other action verbs express mental action. A transitive verb is an action verb that is followed by a word or words that answer the question what? orwhom?

The dancer performed the most difficult movements. (The action verb performed is followed by the noun movements, which answers the question what?)

An intransitive verb is an action verb that is not followed by words that answer the question what?orwhom?

The dancer performedgracefully. (The action verb performed is followed by a word that tells how.)

Exercise 1 - Underline the verb in each sentence. In the blank, write T if the verb is transitive. Write I if the verb is intransitive.

EXAMPLE: Jaelynfollowed the recipe carefully. __T__

1. Kathleen Battle, the opera star, sings amazingly well. ______

2. The red ants fought the black ants. ______

3. My aunt plays rugby every Sunday. ______

4. Everyone saw the horse with the beautiful saddle. ______

5. Twenty-thousand people watched in amazement. ______

6. Beth finally heard that new songs by the Ooglies. ______

7. Dogs hear much better than humans. ______

8. I never watch game shows on television. ______

9. Robin finished early. ______

10. The dolphin turned quickly and smoothly. ______

11. I finished my homework during study hall.

12. Hummingbirds eat almost constantly. ______

13. Carson’s dog eats almost anything. ______

14. My dad never drinks coffee with his meals. ______

15. The parakeet died of pneumonia. ______

16. The outfielder caught the ball near the wall. ______

17. Good detectives never reveal their theories. ______

18. The bell rang at exactly midnight. ______

19. People called often during the holidays. ______

20. In Casablanca Bogart and Bergman meet for the first time at an airport. ______

Linking Verbs

A linking verb links, or joins, the subject of a sentence (often a noun or pronoun) with a word or expression that identifies or describes the subject. Be in all its forms (am, is, are, was, were, been, being) is the most common linking verb. Other linking verbs include look, sound, feel, grow, remain, stay, seem, appear, become, and taste.

I am a soldier.Bananas were plentiful.

The opera sounded wonderful.She felt sad.

Exercise 1 - Underline each linking verb. Circle each action verb.

EXAMPLE:

Fiona is Irish.

1. About 40 million Americans claimed Irish ancestry.

2. Among the states with the largest number of Irish Americans are Massachusetts, Delaware, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

3. Ireland was a country with a large population.

4. The large number of people caused a rise in the poverty level.

5. The Irish had an advantage over other immigrants because they could speak English.

6. In spite of this, however, many Irish suffered discrimination.

7. Irish Americans have made important contributions in many areas of American life and society.

8. One well-known Irish American was President John F. Kennedy.

9. Other famous Irish Americans are actor John Wayne, singer Bing Crosby, and Ronald Reagan, the former president.

10. March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, is the day when Irish Americans celebrate their heritage.

Exercise 3 - Underline the linking verb (or verbs) in each sentence.

EXAMPLE: This is the story of an American hero.

1. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the thirty-fifth president of the United States.

2. When he was a child, his life seemed easy.

3. Joseph and Rose Kennedy appeared eager to give their children every opportunity to succeed.

4. Events grew bleaker in Europe as World War II advanced.

5. John Kennedy felt confident that he could command a Navy motor torpedo boat.

6. He became a hero when he led his men back to safety.

7. Though often ill, he looked vigorous and strong.

8. He remains the youngest person ever elected President of the United States.

9. His inaugural address sounded eloquent to the citizens.

10. His ideas were new and exciting.

Verb Phrases

The verb in a sentence may consist of more than one word. The words that accompany the main verb are called auxiliary, or helping, verbs. A verb phrase consists of a main verb and all its auxiliary verbs.

FORMS OF BEam, is, are, was, were, being, been

FORMS OF HAVEhas, have, had

OTHER AUXILIARIEScan, could, may, might, shall, will, do, does, did, must, should, would

The most common auxiliary verbs are the forms of beand have.

Theare going.They have gone.They had been going.

The other auxiliary verbs are not used primarily to express time.

She should be arriving.Could she have arrived?She could already be sitting there.

Exercise 1 – Place a check next to each sentence that contains an auxiliary verb. In the sentences that contain an auxiliary verb, underline the verb phrase. Then circle the auxiliary verb.

EXAMPLE: Stock car racing has been popular for years.

______1. No one has been more successful in auto races that Richard Petty.

______2. Stock cars are quite different from the sleek cars in the Indianapolis 500.

______3. On the outside, stock cars may appear normal.

______4. The cars also have additional safety features.

______5. Did Richard Petty ever crash his race car?

______6. Richard Petty won his last race on July 4, 1984.

______7. For many faces, stock car racing is a family affair.

______8. Men and women, boys and girls, and people of all ages enjoy watching the races.

______9. For drivers, racing can also be a family affair.

______10. Not surprisingly, Richard’s son is following in his father’s footsteps.