Action Verbs vs be verbs


In today's lesson we continue our unit on verbs.  We discuss the difference between an action verb and a "be" verb and learn to distinguish between them. 

Sneak Preview

 

Verbs fall into one of two classifications: 

  1. words that express action (an action verb) or

  2. words that express a state of being (a be verb). Sometimes the be verb is called a stative verb.



In English, it is important to know the difference between an action verb and a "be" verb.



See how the action verbs below are coded in red and the be verbs are coded in blue

I have two brothers, (who is) younger and one (who is) older. After my older brother graduated

from high school, he came to New York.  He didn't like it, however, and he returned to

Honduras.  Now it was my turn to go to New York and this was something that I wanted to do.


Getting Ready

 

Exercise 1

For each verb below, indicate if it is an action verb or a be verb.  Write "action" or "be". 

1. People need to know how to read.

2. I have been here for two years.

3.   When I was younger, I thought that reading was not a necessary skill.

4.  Doctors and scientists are trying to find a cure for cancer.

Click here to check your ANSWERS.


Next:  The Simple Present Tense

Next...

Our next lessons is "Simple Present Tense".


So from the ESL Help Desk, thanks for dropping by for this lesson and remember to email us your questions about English grammar by way of our blog. 

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