1. Action Verbs
A Project LA Activity
jump

2. What is an action verb?
A verb is one of the most
important parts of the sentence.
It tells the subjects actions,
events, or state of being. It is
always found in the predicate of
a sentence. A verb that shows
action is called an action verb.

3. The words are action verbs:
ran
coughed
swallowed
ride sang
awake

4. Can you find the action verb in each
sentence?
1. The girls danced in the recital.
2. Our mailman drove
a funny car last week.
3. His teacher wrote
the answers on the board.
4. Alice worked
on her homework last night.
Move On

5. No, try again.

6. Yes, that word is an action
verb!
Try another sentence Move On

7. Present verbs
An action verb that describes an
action that is happening now is
called a present tense verb.
verb
The bird flies
through the sky.
Flies is a present tense verb
because it is happening right
now.

8. Present tense verbs
Many present tense verbs
end with s, but some end
with es, or ies.
es ies
cries
sleeps
splashes

9. Past Verbs
Verbs which tell about actions
which happened some time ago
are past tense verbs.
The dog wanted a
bone.
Wanted is a past tense
verb because the action
has already happened.

10. Past tense verbs
Many past tense verbs end
with ed, but some end with d,
or ied.
ied
tried
clapped
played

11. Future Verbs
Verbs which tell about actions
which are going to happen are
future tense verbs.
We will awaken at
six a.m.
Will awaken is a future tense
verb because the action has
not yet happened.

12. Future tense verbs
Future tense verbs use
special words to talk about
things that will happen: will,
going to, shall, aim to, etc.
going to start will enjoy
shall email

13. Helping Verbs
A helping verb works with a main verb to
help you understand what action is
taking place.
Elmer was
using the
computer.

14. 23 Helping Verbs
may be do should have will
might being does could had can
must been did would has shall
am
are
is
was
were
(main) (main) (main)

15. Helping Verbs
Other things to keep in mind:
•Not every sentence will have a
helping verb with the main
verb.
•When you see an "ing" verb
such as "running", be on the
lookout for a helping verb also.

16. Helping Verbs
•Sometimes there is another
word which separates the
helping verb from the main verb.
One common example is "not",
as in: The boy couldn't find his
socks. The helping verb is could
and the main verb is find.

17. Helping Verbs
•A sentence may contain up to
three helping verbs to the main
verb. An example would be: The
dog must have been chasing the
cat. The helping verbs are: must,
have, and been; the main verb is
chasing.

18. Online Verb Games
Hit the Back Arrow on your browser to return.
Take Dave’s Quiz
Helping Verb Quiz
Print and complete the Action Verb
Worksheet
Find the Verb Game
Jeopardy Challenge Board
Present and Past Tense Matching
Game
Verb Machine