5 Verb VERB – A verb is a word that expresses action or state of being. State-of-being, or linking verbs, help to describe the condition or state of being of a person or thing. Frequently used linking verbs are appear, be, become, feel, grow, look, remain, seem, smell, sound, taste. Usually, is or was can be substituted for a linking verb. Examples: I bought a dress. It looks stunning. He wrote a letter. It seems long. Bought and wrote are action verbs. Looks and seems are state-of-being (linking) verbs Note: Is or was can be substituted for looks and seems. Verb Phrase: A verb phrase is a main verb plus one or more helping verbs. The helping verb (or verbs) may be separated from the main verb. Example: She was walking to school. The verb phrase is was walking. The helping verb is was.Along Example: You should have seen the game. The verb phrase is should have seen. The helping verbs are should and have. Example: Will you see him later? The verb phrase is will see. The helping verb is will. Common Helping Verbs (also called auxiliary verbs: Am have are had was do were did be does Is has been may being can will might shall would Could should Common Helping Verb Combinations: Will be shall be could be have been had been Has been should have would have must have Should have been could have been must have been Verb Tense: The tense of a verb refers to the time of the action or state of being. There are six tenses. Present Tense: I run. Past Tense: I ran. Future Tense: I shall run. Present Perfect Tense: I have run. Past Perfect Tense: I had run. Future Perfect Tense: I shall have run. Examples: I have written two letters. Have written is present perfect tense. He was first at bat. Was is past tense.