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There are ONLY two kinds of verbs on the planet. They are:
action
linking
(tutu)
All real verbs are either action or linking. There are other verby things (auxiliary/helping verbs, verbals), but they are not true verbs. We will discuss these later.
Action Verbs
Action Verbs
express either mental or physical activity
Action Verbs
may be transitive or intransitive (more on this later just note it for now)
Linking Verbs
Linking Verbs
express a state of being connect (or link) the subject to a word or word group that identifies or describes the subject
My teacher is cranky.
Linking Verbs
never have objects ALWAYS intransitive (more on this later just note it for now)
Auxiliary/Helping Verbs
auxiliary just means helping
WARNING: Auxiliary verbs do not function as verbs. They HELP the main verb.
Auxiliary/Helping Verbs
(sing to the tune of Jingle Bells for a handy mnemonic)
Auxiliary/Helping Verbs
help the main verb express action or a
state of being
can speak may be has been named should have been caught
Auxiliary Verbs
Verb Phrase
A verb phrase has one main verb and one or more auxiliary verbs
Many people in Africa can speak more than one language. The packages may be at 401 Maple Street.
There may be more than one auxiliary verb in a verb phrase. There is only one main verb in a verb phrase. It is always the LAST WORD in the verb phrase. The main verb is either action (speak, named, caught) or linking (be).
can speak has been named may be should have been caught
was does I was a track star. I was running quickly. She does the dishes. She does hear you. They have influenza. They have been cured.
have
Handy Tip
Since transitive/intransitive verbs deal with whether or not action passes from the subject to an object, always start with labeling the subject and verb in the sentence.
Transitive Verbs
express an action directed toward a person, a place, a thing, or an idea (a.k.a., nouns) The action passes from the doer (the subject) to the receiver of the action. The words that receive the action of transitive verbs direct objects always nouns Transitive verbs can only be action verbs. Linking verbs are NEVER transitive.
aux. v
av
Intransitive Verbs
express action or tell something about the subject without the action passing to a receiver, or object Intransitive verbs may be either action or linking verbs.
av
av
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aux. v
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aux. v
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aux. v
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