Learn on PengiElements of Language, 2nd CourseChapter 3: Parts of Speech Overview: Verb, Adverb, Preposition, Conjunction, Interjection

Lesson 2: Action Verbs and Linking Verbs

In this Grade 5 grammar lesson from Elements of Language, 2nd Course, students learn to distinguish between action verbs, which express physical or mental action, and linking verbs, which connect the subject to a word that identifies or describes it. The lesson covers how to identify verb phrases that include helping verbs and introduces common linking verbs such as forms of "be" along with words like appear, become, feel, and seem. Practice exercises guide students through recognizing and underlining both verb types in context.

Section 1

Action Verbs

Definition

An action verb is a verb that expresses either physical or mental action.

Explanation

Think of an action verb as a 'doing' word! It shows what the subject's body does, like jumping or singing, which is a physical action. It can also show what the subject's mind does, like remembering or believing, which is a mental action. Remember to look for helping verbs! When you find an action verb, always include any helpers that come with it, like in the phrase 'will be playing'.

Examples

  • Maria painted a picture. [The verb painted expresses a physical action.]
  • He wanted a new bike. [The verb wanted expresses a mental action.]
  • The team will be practicing all afternoon. [The main verb is practicing, and the helping verbs are will and be. The verb phrase will be practicing expresses a physical action.]

Section 2

Linking Verbs

Definition

A linking verb is a verb that connects, or links, the subject to a word or word group that identifies or describes the subject.

Explanation

Instead of showing action, a linking verb works like an equals sign (=) in math. It connects the subject of a sentence to a word that either renames it or describes it. The most common linking verbs are forms of to be (like is, am, are, was, were), but others like seem, become, feel, appear, and taste also act as important links in sentences.

Examples

  • My dad is a firefighter. [The linking verb is connects the subject, dad, to the word, firefighter, that identifies him.]
  • The kittens seem playful. [The linking verb seem connects the subject, kittens, to the word, playful, that describes them.]
  • Did the soup taste salty? [The linking verb did taste connects the subject, soup, to the word, salty, that describes it.]

Book overview

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Chapter 3: Parts of Speech Overview: Verb, Adverb, Preposition, Conjunction, Interjection

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: The Verb

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  2. Lesson 2Current

    Lesson 2: Action Verbs and Linking Verbs

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: The Adverb

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: The Preposition

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  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 5: The Conjunction and the Interjection

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Lesson overview

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Section 1

Action Verbs

Definition

An action verb is a verb that expresses either physical or mental action.

Explanation

Think of an action verb as a 'doing' word! It shows what the subject's body does, like jumping or singing, which is a physical action. It can also show what the subject's mind does, like remembering or believing, which is a mental action. Remember to look for helping verbs! When you find an action verb, always include any helpers that come with it, like in the phrase 'will be playing'.

Examples

  • Maria painted a picture. [The verb painted expresses a physical action.]
  • He wanted a new bike. [The verb wanted expresses a mental action.]
  • The team will be practicing all afternoon. [The main verb is practicing, and the helping verbs are will and be. The verb phrase will be practicing expresses a physical action.]

Section 2

Linking Verbs

Definition

A linking verb is a verb that connects, or links, the subject to a word or word group that identifies or describes the subject.

Explanation

Instead of showing action, a linking verb works like an equals sign (=) in math. It connects the subject of a sentence to a word that either renames it or describes it. The most common linking verbs are forms of to be (like is, am, are, was, were), but others like seem, become, feel, appear, and taste also act as important links in sentences.

Examples

  • My dad is a firefighter. [The linking verb is connects the subject, dad, to the word, firefighter, that identifies him.]
  • The kittens seem playful. [The linking verb seem connects the subject, kittens, to the word, playful, that describes them.]
  • Did the soup taste salty? [The linking verb did taste connects the subject, soup, to the word, salty, that describes it.]

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 3: Parts of Speech Overview: Verb, Adverb, Preposition, Conjunction, Interjection

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: The Verb

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  2. Lesson 2Current

    Lesson 2: Action Verbs and Linking Verbs

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: The Adverb

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: The Preposition

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  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 5: The Conjunction and the Interjection

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