A verb is a word that expresses action.

• every sentence has a main

Verb verb
• in many sentences, a single word
is all that is needed to express the
action
 An action verb expresses either physical
or mental activity.
Verb PHYSICAL Please cook dinner, Jerry.

MENTAL Francesca understands the

science experiment.
Verb EXAMPLES

The dog barked all night.

Brandon throws the ball a long way.

TIP “What is the action?”

Verb In some sentences, the verb consists of a
main verb and one or more helping verbs.

• a helping verb helps the main verb to

express action

EXAMPLES can speak

will learn
should have been fed
Verb I had called my grandmother already.

Had is helping the main verb called.

I have used a computer in math class.

Have is helping the main verb used.

Verb Remember, a verb cannot be a helping
verb unless there is another verb for it to
help.
EXAMPLE They had a good time at the nature
center.

Had is the only verb; there is no other verb for

it to help.
Commonly Used Helping Verbs
be am is are

f
eo
was were been

e”
tun
has have had

dg
the
Bri
do does did

to
on
ng
nd
can could shall should

Su
“Lo
will would may
might must being