Composing Clear and Coherent Sentences Using the Different Aspects of Verbs

Using the Different Aspects of Verbs

1. Kinds of VerbsKinds of Verbs
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P. 100P. 100

2. VerbsVerbs
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 verbverb 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 worksworks at the park. at the park.
He He trimstrims the trees. the trees.

He He lovesloves his job. his job.
He He paintspaints the benches. the benches.

3. Action VerbsAction Verbs

Most verbs are Most verbs are action verbsaction 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 feedsfeeds the the
ducks. ducks.

Mental Action: She Mental Action: She likeslikes the migrating birds the migrating birds
best. best.

4. Being VerbsBeing Verbs

Other verbs express a state of Other verbs express a state of beingbeing. .

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 isis the gardener’s assistant. the gardener’s assistant.

He He seemsseems afraid of the swans. afraid of the swans.

One swan One swan lookslooks angry. angry.

In fact, swans In fact, swans areare rather large birds. rather large birds.

5. The most common being verbs are The most common being verbs are
forms of forms of bebe itself. itself.
AmAm
isis
AreAre

WasWas
WereWere
BeBe

BeingBeing
beenbeen

6. Other being verbs:Other being verbs:
AppearAppear
BecomeBecome
FeelFeel
GrowGrow

LookLook
SeemSeem
RemainRemain
SmellSmell
SoundSound
StayStay
tastetaste

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 VerbsLinking 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 verblinking verb. .

A linking verb A linking verb linkslinks, 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 isis a very nice. a very nice.

Heather Heather isis 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 VerbsLinking Verbs Action VerbsAction Verbs
The lily pond The lily pond smells smells
stagnant. stagnant.
The squirrel The squirrel smellssmells its its
food. food.
The gardener The gardener feltfelt tired. tired. She She feltfelt the tree’s thick the tree’s thick
leaves. leaves.

10. An Easy Check Test to UseAn 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 isis or or areare 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.