A verb is a word used to express an action, a condition, or a state of being.

An action verb expresses a physical or mental action. Action verbs may betransitive or intransitive. A transitive verb transfers the action from the subjecttoward a direct object. An intransitive verb does not transfer action, so it does nothave an object.

Transitive verb The goalie caught the ball. (Ball is the direct object.)Intransitive verb The crowd cheered.

A linking verb connects the subject with a word or words that identify or describethe subject. It can connect the subject with a predicate nominative or a predicateadjective. Some linking verbs are forms of be, such as am, is, was, and were.Others express a condition, such as appear, become, feel, look, remain, seem,sound, and taste.

Sean was the manager. He seemed confident.

An auxiliary verb, also called a helping verb, helps the main verb express action ormake a statement. Auxiliary verbs also help indicate voice, mood, or tense. A verbphrase is made up of a main verb and one or more helping verbs. Some commonauxiliary verbs are had, been, do, is, might, will, must, could, should, and would.

The forwards are running down the field. (The main verb is running.)

A. Identifying VerbsUnderline the verb or verb phrase in each sentence. In the space above eachunderlined word, write A if it is an action verb, L if it is a linking verb, or AUX if it isan auxiliary verb.

1. The game of lacrosse is popular in many countries.

2. Players move the ball with sticks with net pockets at one end.

3. They score goals in the other teams goal.

4. Only the goalies may touch the ball.

5. Lacrosse was adapted from a Canadian Indian game.

6. The game was originally a rough sport.

B. Identifying Transitive and Intransitive VerbsUnderline the verb or verb phrase in each sentence. On the line, write T for atransitive verb or I for an intransitive verb.

1. In the past, tennis players usually wore white shorts or dresses. ________

2. Perhaps the color white represented gentility to the upper class players. ________

3. Today the rules for tennis wear have changed. ________

4. The development of the tennis shoe improved tennis wear. ________

5. Todays tennis shoe is crafted with comfort and support in mind. ________

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3 Verbs Reteaching

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A. Identifying VerbsUnderline each verb once. If the verb has a direct object or objects, underline the directobject(s) twice. In the space above each verb, write T for transitive or I for intransitive.

1. The mayor presented the key to our city to the famous opera star.

2. Newspaper critics often differ in their evaluations of TV, theater, music, and food.

3. Samuel Langhorne Clemens wrote under the pen name Mark Twain.

4. The galaxies in our universe are moving apart rapidly.

5. The constant drip of calcium carbonate from cave roofs eventually formsstalactites.

6. Large roadside billboards advertise products and services along some highways.

7. Young children need constant care and attention.

8. Our family has moved three times in the past decade.

9. A strategic plan increased the enterprises chances of success.

10. The instructions for the VCR confuse my grandparents.

B. Using VerbsRefer to the passage below to complete these items.

Sports medicine is a field that provides health care to athletes and otheractive people. Sports medicine minimizes the risk of injury, and it treats injuriesthat do occur. A team of experts work together in this field. They evaluatetraining techniques, diagnose injuries, and determine treatment. Many athleticteams have arranged for the services of a team physician. The team physicianwill provide medical attention for the players. The teams trainer often assists.With proper care, athletes may return to playing as quickly as possible. Sportsmedicine has improved the general health of athletes.

1. Find examples of two transitive verbs in the passage. On the lines below, writethose verbs and the direct objects that receive their actions.

Transitive verb 1: _________________ Direct object: _________________

Transitive verb 2: _________________ Direct object: _________________

2. Write three action verbs from the passage on the lines below.

_________________ _________________ _________________

3. Write two verb phrases from the passage. Underline the auxiliary verbs in each phrase.

_______________________ _______________________

4. Write the sentence from the passage that contains a linking verb. Underline thetwo words that are connected by the linking verb.

______________________________________________________________________

5. Find examples of two intransitive verbs in the passage. Write them on the linesbelow.

_________________ _________________

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3 Verbs More Practice

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A. Writing with Verbs That Can Be Either Transitive or IntransitiveUnderline the verb in each sentence. Write T above it if it is transitive or I if it isintransitive. Then, if it is transitive, use it as an intransitive verb in a sentence ofyour own. If it is intransitive, use it as a transitive verb. Write your new sentenceon the line. The new sentences can be about any topic. You may change the formor tense of the verb if you wish.

EXAMPLE This batter often hits to left field. This batter often hits home runs.1. Professional pitchers throw with speed and accuracy.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Their pitches reach speeds of well over 90 miles per hour.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

3. The manager calls loudly to the pitcher.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

4. The batter waves confidently to the crowd.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

5. The pitcher shakes his head in response to the catchers signal.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

6. The ball flies out of the ballpark.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

B. Proofreading The writer of this paragraph was careless and omitted many verbs. Proofread theparagraph, looking for places where an action verb, a linking verb, or an auxiliaryverb would improve the writing. Then insert this proofreading symbol ^ and writethe verb you wish to add above it.

There a wide variety of exciting winter sports. Some are familiar worldwide,

such as ice skating and skiing. However, some not as well known. One example

bobsledding, which is a fast, dangerous sport. A group of Englishmen and Americans

introduced the sport in 1890. Bobsledders down a steep, icy course in sleds.

Another less-known winter sport tobogganing. Tobogganing coasting on

snow on long sleds. Toboggans very fast and may achieve a speed of 60 miles

per hour. Native American hunters often toboggans to carry game over the snow.

Ringette is a team sport that similar to ice hockey. The game invented in

Ontario, Canada. Ringette teams consist of six players, all on ice skates. The

game played on an ice rink. Girls and young women in Canada and the

northern United States enjoy this game. Next winter, you want to try one of

these sports.

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3 Verbs Application

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