What is a verb? (+ 4 verb worksheet bundles and lesson plans for engaging learning experiences)

A verb can be most simply described as a ‘doing’ or ‘being’ word. Verbs express actions, as well as states of being — who and what you are, as well as what you are doing.

Verbs are essential to every sentence. Without a verb, you can’t construct a sentence that makes sense or functions grammatically. That’s why it’s important for kids to have a strong understanding of what verbs are, and how to use them.

In this guide, we’ll break down the different verb types — you may be surprised at how many there are! — and what you need to know for effective verb teaching. We also provide some great examples of verb worksheets to make grammar lessons more engaging and effective.

The 3 most common types of verb

Verbs are broken down into different types. The verb type is based on its function within a sentence and what it does or describes. There are three main types of verbs: action, linking, and helping verbs. These account for the majority of verb usage, but there are a few other instances where the verb function may vary slightly.

1.   Action verbs

Action verbs are probably the most important verb type. They are strong and can be used to construct a sentence all on their own. Within this verb group, there are three subsets to get familiar with…

Intransitive complete verbs are self-contained and can complete the sentence on their own.

For example:

The boy smiled.

The dog barked.

The ballerina danced.

Transitive active verbs pass their action onto someone or something. The subject of the sentence does the action, and the verb transfers it onto the direct object of the sentence.

For example:

The girl carried the bread.

The cat ate the mouse.

The giraffe bought the ticket.

Transitive passive verbs are similar to transitive active verbs, in that they also transfer an action onto something else. However, because the sentence is passive, the subject is the person or thing receiving the action, and the object of the sentence might not even be mentioned.

The bread was carried.

The mouse was eaten.

The ticket was bought.

2.   Linking verbs

Linking verbs are less about ‘doing’ and more about ‘being’. They link states of being to people or things. They’re used to describe how or what a person or thing is, rather than what actions are being carried out.

Linking verbs are often about feelings or emotions, or jobs, conditions, and hobbies. They function as the bridge between the subject of the sentence, and a noun or an adjective that describes it.

For example:

Henry feels sad.

The otter is an athlete.

The weather looks good.

Linking verbs can also describe a change in state or condition, for example: The flower turned orange.

Given their importance in building sentences and making them work, action, and linking verbs are usually described as ‘main’ verbs. They are the only verbs that can stand alone in a sentence, with no other verbs helping them.

3.   Helping verbs

Helping verbs are not as strong as action or linking verbs. They exist to help or give emphasis to another verb, and can’t stand alone in a sentence.

For example:

I will travel on a train this year.

My cat will bite me when he is hungry.

Your dinner will be late.

It’s important to note that some verbs can act as both action or linking verbs and helping verbs. But, they can only do one job at a time in any given sentence.

For example:

I have a car (action).

I have bought a car (helping).

I am hungry (linking).

I am thinking about food (helping).

A ‘verb phrase’ is when you combine a main verb (either action or linking) and a helping verb in the same sentence.

For example:

Emily will be at the party this evening.

Trevor has been late a lot recently.

The aardvarks are feeling ill at the moment.

Unlike the main verbs, a helping verb can’t be the only verb in a sentence. There must be an additional verb present for it to help.

So what’s an adverb then?

Adverbs are essentially descriptive words and can be used to add detail to or modify other verbs.

For example:

He runs quickly.

She smiles broadly.

They cry loudly.

It’s worth noting, though, that too many adverbs in a piece of writing often weakens it — it all becomes a bit too much for the brain to take in! Adverbs have their place, but should be used sparingly.

The best worksheets to teach kids about verbs

Once your class has a good understanding of what verbs are and why we need them, you can start to introduce more complex themes such as verb tense and verb agreements.

The worksheet bundles below help shape an ideal verb syllabus, starting with the basics — action verbs — before working up to more thought-provoking content…

Worksheets for action verbs

These action verb worksheets will help you create fun, engaging, and imaginative verb lesson plans. Start with an exercise that asks kids to circle the verbs as they see them, and end the class with an “action picture” challenge — there’s one included in the worksheet bundle, or you can draw your own.

Worksheets for verb tenses

Tenses are tricky, but being able to identify which type of verb you’re dealing with in the past, present, and future tense is key. These worksheets will give you an overview of how verb tenses work, and help you explore verbs more thoroughly in the past, present, and future tense. 

Worksheets for verb agreements

Learning how verbs relate to the subject of the sentence, or an adverb is central to making sure your students can use verbs properly. These worksheets will help you design effective verb lesson plans around verb agreements, and give your kids a proper understanding of the concept.

We’d recommend warming the class up with an introductory exercise — explaining what a verb agreement is — before testing them with rewriting incorrect sentences, correcting the verbs as they go.