Understanding Verbs

In this lesson, students will learn about verbs. They will have a worksheet to fill out independently after you go over verbs.

To begin this lesson, you can explain the different verb tenses. After the students understand about verbs, you can pass out the worksheet and have them work on it independently. When they have completed the worksheet, you can pick them up and grade them.

Present Tense

A verb that is in the present tense form means the action is taking place at that moment.

Here's an example of present tense: The basketball player fouls out.

The action is taking place at that time.

Here are more examples: When I tell a joke, you laugh. Mary reads a book.

Past Tense

A verb that is in the past tense form means that the action took place in the past.

Let's look at this sentence: Sara rode her horse. Rode is in the past. The action had already taken place.

Here are a few others: The cats slept all day. He missed the exit.

Future Tense

Future tense is used to express something that will happen in the future.

Here is an example of future tense: I will live there.

Here are a few others: Bob will carry the groceries. I shall cook dinner for you tonight.

Present Perfect Tense

Present perfect tense is something that happened in the past and continues through the present.

Here's an example of present perfect tense: I have lived in my house for several years.

Have is in the present. Have lived shows that it happened in the past, but it continues to happen.

Past Perfect Tense

Past perfect tense is something that happened in the past and completed before another past event happened.

Let’s look at this example: After Megan had lived in her apartment for one year, the owners raised her rent.

Had lived is in the past. Raised is past tense.

This statement shows that Megan had lived (past) in her apartment for one year.

Then, the owners raised her rent. This still happened in the past.

Future Perfect Tense

Future Perfect Tense means that an event will be completed before another future event.

Here's an example of future perfect tense: By this May, Christy will have lived in her house for fifty years.

This statement illustrates something that will happen and be completed in the future.

Action and Linking (Passive) Verbs

Action Verbs – The verbs show action. The subject is doing the action.

Megan throw the ball to Cassie, her dog.

Linking Verbs (Passive Verbs) – These verbs do not show action. The subject is not doing the action. Christy was tired. Worksheet on Verbs

Directions: Underline the subject. Circle the verb.

1. Christy worked on her writing today.

2. Cassie chased the ball.

3. Megan wrote in her journal.

4. Sadey and Cassie played in the yard.

5. Penny was confused about her homework assignment.

6. Billy liked his new puppy.

7. Sheri cleaned up her room.

8. On the way to school, Christy and Megan picked up leaves for a school project.

9. Christy and Megan enjoyed their new farm.

Directions: Underline the action verbs.

Circle the linking (passive) verbs.

1. The trees were bright red.

2. Megan became angry.

3. Christy and Megan waved goodbye to

their father.

4. Cassie and Sadey were playing outside.

Directions: Write an action verb in the blank to complete each sentence.

1. We ____________ camping and fishing.

2. At night the moon ___________ through the window.

3. The tornado ______________ the farm.

4. The squirrels _____________ their nuts.

5. Tippy ___________ under the bed.

6. We _________________ summer vacation. Directions: Write the verb in each sentence.

1. Megan describes her new house. _________________

2. Christy has trouble in math. _______________

3. Cassie enjoys freelance writing. ___________________

4. We took care of our farm animals. ______________

5. We like growing a vegetable garden. ____________________

Directions: Underline action verbs. Circle linking (passive)

Verbs.

1. Christy and Megan were going to a movie on Saturday.

2. Timmy was playing with his big wheel until lunch.

3. Billy was chasing his puppy in the yard.

4. They were going shopping after work.

5. They worked at the store until 6:00 PM.

6. Tammy is drawing on her walls.

7. Susie likes her new hamster.

8. Christy and Megan are staying after school to help their teacher.

9. The students were leaving for a field trip.

10. Susie and Timmy are cleaning up their room.

Directions: Write the verb in each sentence.

1. Leaves change color in the fall. _______________

2. The air becomes cooler. _________________

3. Many birds fly south for the winter. ____________

4. Some leaves turn yellow and gold. _______________

5. They fall to the ground in great piles. ____________

6. The trees’ branches are bare and gray. ___________

7. Pine trees keep their green needles all year. __________

8. New life returns to the forest in spring. ____________

9. Green buds swell on every branch. _______________

10. Summer is on its way. ______________________

Directions: Underline action verbs. Circle linking verbs.

1. Summer was always my favorite season.

2. We slid on the ice.

3. The plane landed safely.

4. Christy and Megan had a snowball fight.

5. We took our umbrellas to school today.

6. I like reading mysteries.

7. Megan plopped onto the floor.

8. Christy and Megan trudged through

the snow.

9. December is my favorite month.

10. Timmy and his father bought a new puppy.

You can grade the students on the total number correct out of the total number possible.