Verbs & Adjectives

1. Verbs & Adjectives 09/15/12

2. The Verb • A verb is a word that is used to express action or state of being. • A verb phrase consists of at least one main verb and one or more helping verbs. • A Helping verb helps the main verb express action or a state of being. • Helping Verbs • can, could, did, do, does, had, has, have, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would • is leaving had seemed might have remained • She had always been thinking about her future. • Has my sister played her new CD yet?

3. Identifying Main Verbs and Helping Verbs • Fortunately, he didn’t need surgery. • His physical therapist has designed an exercise program for him. • Before exercise, he must spend at least five minutes warming up. • He will be using a back-extension machine. • Does he walk indoors on a treadmill or outdoors on a track? • At home, he will be exercising on a treadmill.

4. Action Verbs and Linking Verbs • A linking verb connects the subject to a word or word group that identifies or describes the subject. The most commonly used linking verbs are forms of the verb be. • Take predicate nominatives • be, being, am, is, shall be, will be, has been, have been, should be, would be, can be, could be, are, was, were, had been, shall have been, will have been, should have been, would have been, could have been • An action verb expresses either physical or mental action. • Take direct objects • Physical Action • write, describe, sit, receive, arise, go • Mental Action • remember, consider, think, understand, believe, know

5. Linking Verbs • The noun, pronoun, or adjective that is connected to the subject by a linking verb completes the meaning of the verb and refers to the verb’s subject. • The answer is three. • The answer was correct. • Many linking verbs can be used as action verbs as well (the 5 senses) • The wet dog smelled terrible. • The motor sounded harsh.

6. Linking Verbs • For verbs of the senses, try this technique to distinguish whether the verb is action or linking: • Replace the verb in the sentence with the linking verb seem. • If the sentence makes clear sense with the word seem as a substitute, then the verb is linking. • If the sentence makes no sense with the word seem as a substitute, then the verb is action.

7. Identifying Linking Verbs and the Words They Link • State whether the verbs below are action or linking. • My mother tasted the cake before she served it to guests. • The milk we bought last week tasted spoiled. • The guard sounded the alarm. • Those P. Diddy songs sounded awesome.

8. The Adjective • An adjective is a word that is used to modify a noun or a pronoun. • To modify means to describe the word or to make its meaning more definite. An adjective modifies a noun or a pronoun by telling what kind, which one, or how many. • What Kind? • gray skies, far-fetched tale, lowest price • Which One? • either way, next day, those girls • How Many? • five fingers, one river, fewer hours

9. The Adjective • Comparison of adjectives: • Positive = adjective as is • Comparative = add -er or more • Superlative = add -est or most

10. The Adjective • Helpful Hints: • When comparing only 2 things, use the comparative form of the adjective (add –er or more). • When comparing 3 or more things, use the superlative form of the adjective (add –est or most).

11. The Adjective • Although both Austin and Tony are good runners, Austin is the more elusive. • Which of these ten photos is the most attractive? • Of the two thesis sentences, your first one is more effective. • Tim, who has 4.35 speed, is the fastest of the six linebackers. • Both twins are fine athletes, but Luigi is the slower swimmer.

12. Adjectives in Sentences • An adjective usually comes before the noun or pronoun it modifies. • Mr. Ybarra tells all students that hard workers will be given special commendations. • A sweating, exhausted runner crossed the finish line. • In some cases, adjectives follow the word they modify. • A dog, old and overweight, snored in the sun.