What Are Verbs?
A verb is an action word. It tells what someone or something does. Verbs can also show a state of being.
- Maria runs fast.
- The dog barks loudly.
- I am happy.
Verbs show what is happening in the sentence. They can be actions (like jump) or states of being (like is).
Action Verbs
Action verbs tell what people or things do. They show movement or an activity.
- We play outside.
- He eats lunch.
- The birds fly away.
Action verbs are easy to spot—just ask yourself, “What is the person or thing doing?”
Being Verbs
Being verbs do not show action. Instead, they tell what someone or something is or feels.
- She is my teacher.
- We are friends.
- I am tired.
Common being verbs: am, is, are, was, were.
Verbs in the Present
When we talk about what is happening now, we use verbs in the present tense.
- I run to school.
- She reads a book.
- They play soccer.
With he, she, or it, many present tense verbs add -s (like runs, reads).
Verbs in the Past
When we talk about what already happened, we use verbs in the past tense.
- I walked home.
- She played the piano.
- They jumped high.
Many past tense verbs end in -ed, but some are irregular (like went, had, ate).
Putting It All Together
Verbs are important because they tell what is happening or what someone is. Knowing action verbs, being verbs, and verb tenses helps us write and speak clearly.
- Action Verb: He runs fast.
- Being Verb: She is my sister.
- Past Tense: We played outside.
When writing, ask yourself: What is the subject doing? Or what is the subject? This will help you choose the correct verb.