State-Of-Being Verbs

Action Verbs

Action verbs are the easiest to identify. They are something you can actually “do.” Words like run, said, hop, read, etc. are action verbs.

A few other points to remember:

 Action verbs can be actions you can't see such as: Sue thought about pets. She wanted a puppy. Even though you can’t actually see a person thinking or wanting, they are still things you can DO.

 Action verbs let you know when something takes place. That’s why you have to be carefully what tense of the verb you are using and you need to stay in one tense (usually). Examples: My dog runs faster than yours. (present tense) Yesterday he ran around the block. (past tense) Tomorrow he will run in a race. (future tense)

 Action verbs may be used alone as the main verb of a sentence; as in: My kitten fell into the pond. The action verb may also use a helping verb as in: If you get too close to the edge, you will fall ______State-of-Being Verbs

The eight state of being verbs are verbs that state that something IS. They tell you that something exists. The state-of-being verbs are: is, am, were, was, are, be, being, been. You can remember them by remembering the following sentence: Annie is a wild, wonderful, bouncing baby bear. Are Is Am Was Were Be Being Been

Here are a couple of things to remember:

 State-of-being verbs can be the main verb of the sentence; as in: Sally is my best friend.  State-of-being verb can also be used as a helping verb; as in: She is going on a vacation. Note that the verbs: be, being, and been always NEED a helping verb; as in: Pat has been sick all week. . State-of-being verbs can show time. The present tense state-of-being verbs are: am, are, is. Past tense state-of-being verbs are: was and were.