Composing Clear and Coherent Sentences Using the Different Aspects of Verbs
- 1. Kinds of Verbs Kinds of Verbs 3-1 3-1 P. 100 P. 100
- 2. Verbs Verbs As you know, every sentence has two As you know, every sentence has two parts, the subject and the predicate. parts, the subject and the predicate. The key word in the predicate is the The key word in the predicate is the verb. verb. The The verb verb tells what the subject of the tells what the subject of the sentence is, has, does, or feels. sentence is, has, does, or feels. Burt Burt works works at the park. at the park. He He trims trims the trees. the trees. He He loves loves his job. his job. He He paints paints the benches. the benches.
- 3. Action Verbs Action Verbs Most verbs are Most verbs are action verbs action verbs. Some . Some action verbs refer to physical action that action verbs refer to physical action that can be seen by other people. can be seen by other people. Others refer to mental action that Others refer to mental action that cannot be seen. cannot be seen. Physical Action: The gardener Physical Action: The gardener feeds feeds the the ducks. ducks. Mental Action: She Mental Action: She likes likes the migrating birds the migrating birds best. best.
- 4. Being Verbs Being Verbs Other verbs express a state of Other verbs express a state of being being. . These verbs do not refer to action of These verbs do not refer to action of any sort. They simply tell what the any sort. They simply tell what the subject is. subject is. Burt Burt is is the gardener’s assistant. the gardener’s assistant. He He seems seems afraid of the swans. afraid of the swans. One swan One swan looks looks angry. angry. In fact, swans In fact, swans are are rather large birds. rather large birds.
- 5. The most common being verbs are The most common being verbs are forms of forms of be be itself. itself. Am Am is is Are Are Was Was Were Were Be Be Being Being been been
- 6. Other being verbs: Other being verbs: Appear Appear Become Become Feel Feel Grow Grow Look Look Seem Seem Remain Remain Smell Smell Sound Sound Stay Stay taste taste
- 7. Identify each verb in the sentences Identify each verb in the sentences below. Does it express action or below. Does it express action or being? being? 1. 1. We parked and locked our bicycles in the rack at We parked and locked our bicycles in the rack at the library. the library. 2. 2. Many, many resources were available there. Many, many resources were available there. 3. 3. I considered several books about wild animals. I considered several books about wild animals. 4. 4. All of the books looked interesting. All of the books looked interesting. 5. 5. Finally, I decided on one about tropical birds. Finally, I decided on one about tropical birds. 6. 6. The book described many birds from countries in The book described many birds from countries in Central and South America. Central and South America. 7. 7. I especially liked the photographs in the book. I especially liked the photographs in the book. 8. 8. The pictures of the birds are very colorful. The pictures of the birds are very colorful. 9. 9. Some of the birds’ feathers are pink, orange, red, Some of the birds’ feathers are pink, orange, red, and green. and green. 10. 10. I carried the book home in my backpack. I carried the book home in my backpack.
- 8. Linking Verbs Linking Verbs A verb that expresses a state of being A verb that expresses a state of being often functions as a often functions as a linking verb linking verb. . A linking verb A linking verb links links, or connects, the , or connects, the subject with a noun or an adjective in subject with a noun or an adjective in the predicate that names or describes the predicate that names or describes the subject. the subject. Ethan Ethan is is a very nice. a very nice. Heather Heather is is a tiny girl. a tiny girl.
- 9. Some verbs can function as either Some verbs can function as either linking verbs or action verbs. linking verbs or action verbs. Linking Verbs Linking Verbs Action Verbs Action Verbs The lily pond The lily pond smells smells stagnant. stagnant. The squirrel The squirrel smells smells its its food. food. The gardener The gardener felt felt tired. tired. She She felt felt the tree’s thick the tree’s thick leaves. leaves.
- 10. An Easy Check Test to Use An Easy Check Test to Use To help you decide whether one of To help you decide whether one of these verbs is a linking verb, try these verbs is a linking verb, try substituting substituting is is or or are are for the verb. If the for the verb. If the sentence still makes sense, the verb is sentence still makes sense, the verb is probably a linking verb. probably a linking verb. The pigeons look comical. (The pigeons are The pigeons look comical. (The pigeons are comical) comical) The swan’s hiss sounds fierce. (The swan’s The swan’s hiss sounds fierce. (The swan’s hiss is fierce) hiss is fierce)
- 11. Which sentence in each of the Which sentence in each of the following pairs contains a linking following pairs contains a linking verb. verb. 11. A monkey appears from behind a tree. It 11. A monkey appears from behind a tree. It appears excited. appears excited. 12. The young deer grew taller. The male deer 12. The young deer grew taller. The male deer grew antlers. grew antlers. 13. The koala baby looks cute. It looks for its 13. The koala baby looks cute. It looks for its mother. mother. 14. The koala tastes a leaf. Does it taste good? 14. The koala tastes a leaf. Does it taste good? 15. We smell the eucalyptus tree. It smells 15. We smell the eucalyptus tree. It smells pleasant. pleasant. 16. We feel the tree’s bark. It feels smooth. 16. We feel the tree’s bark. It feels smooth.
- 12. List the verbs in the sentences List the verbs in the sentences below. Label each verb action or below. Label each verb action or being. being. 17. The giant anteater usually appears 17. The giant anteater usually appears shy. shy. 18. It enjoys dark, wet tropical forests. 18. It enjoys dark, wet tropical forests. 19. Ants and termites appear in this 19. Ants and termites appear in this animal’s diet. animal’s diet. 20. The anteater is a peaceful animal. 20. The anteater is a peaceful animal.