Verbs Practice

Is it transitive or intransitive?

Which is it?: To determine if a verb in a given sentence is transitive or intransitive, ask “Whom?” or “What?” after the verb. If there is an answer in the sentence, the verb is transitive. If no answer can be found, the verb is intransitive.

Examples: > Robert polished his shoes. - Polished what? → his shoes → transitive > Linda waited for the bus. - Waited what? Waited whom? → no answer → intransitive a. Label the underlined verbs in the following sentences transitive (T) or intransitive (I).

1. ______Jim wandered into the wilderness. 2. ______Beth’s aunt arrived this morning. 3. ______The cat chased the mouse. 4. ______The hurricane blew over the mainland. 5. ______The birdcage swung from a golden chain. b. Identify each verb in the following sentences and identify it as transitive (T) or intransitive (I). If it is transitive, circle the direct object.

6. ______He shuddered with fright during the scary part of the movie. 7. ______The rats chewed their way into the old house. 8. ______Acorns drop from the trees every fall. 9. ______Charlie combed his hair before the homecoming dance. 10. ______We bought paper napkins for the picnic. 11. ______Zelda smiled at the thought of a parade in the snow. 12. ______Fish and potatoes sizzled in the pan.

1 Linking verbs: A linking verb connects a subject to a predicate and can stand alone.

- Be is the most commonly used linking verb, but there are some other important ones to know.

The forms of be am am being can be shall be have been Must have been are are being could be should be has been Shall have been is is begin may be will be had been Will have been was was being might be would be could have been Would have been were were being must be might have been

Other linking verbs appear feel look seem sound taste become grow remain smell stay turn c. Circle the linking verb in the following sentences.

13. The old window is creaky. 14. Those kids across the street were mean. 15.There are twelve bagels in a dozen. 16.I was late for work today. 17. The cakes were delicious. 18. That shirt is too small for her. 19. Those dresses are very pretty. 20. My legs were sore after all that walking.

Helping verbs: helps another verb show action and is added before another verb to make a verb phrase. It cannot stand-alone. Sometimes, the phrase can be separated. d. Is the underlined word a linking verb or a helping verb?

21. The student’s mother appeared from around the corner. 22. The mother had been informed of her child’s good grades. 23. The student must have been happy. 24. This would be Susie’s fifth A this year. 25. The other students were now striving for good grades.

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