Date

Action Verbs r Practicel

s. Visible and S{ental Action A verb is a worci that exgrresses time while showing an action, a condition,
q
or the fact ttrat some+*ring exists. An action verb is a verb that tells what action someone or something is
performing. An action verb may show mental action as well as visible action.

tr?isible Action Mental Action

dig yell wonder hope
measure play believe think

Transitive and-Intransitive Verbs An action verb is transitive if it directs action toward someone or
something. An action verb is intransitive if it does not direct action toward someone or something.

Ttansitive Intransitive
Angie plngedbaseball. Danny plagedwell.
(played what?) baseball (played what?) no answer

|@Re c o g n i z i n g Vi s i b | e a n d M e n ta | A cti ons.U nderl i neeachverbthatshow svi si bl e

l/
action. Circle each verb that shows mental action.
EXAMPIE: No one the question.
@
l* Hansel and Gretel wandered through the forest.

2. The teacher carefully considered the quesilon.

3. Grandma always gives me a treat.

4. David wrote an excellent essay.

il 5. The plane glided to a stop.

6. We wanted to surprise Jessica with a birthday party.

7. Our team built the best sand castle.

8. Last night our family talked about our summer vacation.

L Darin wished for a career in music.

IO. We planted marigolds all around the vegetable garden.

F\

|@DistinguishingBetweenTransitiveand|ntransitiveVerbs.oneachblankatthe
tt
risht, write transittueor intransititseto describe the action verb in each sentence.
gXnUpUl Janet studied hard for the test. infuansitiue
t. My motJrer studied Latin in high school.
2. All the scout troops marched in the holiday parade.
3. Dana entered her poem in the contest.
4. The chefprepared spectacular desserts.
5. The cowhand swung his lariat high above his head.
6. The monkeys swung from tree to tree.
7. Prairie dogs tunnel underground.
8. We divided the rest of the cake unong us.
9. The train departed an hour late.
10. After their long trek, the hikers ate greedily.

@ Prenfire-Holl,
Inc. Verbs.13
Action
 Linking VerbS (Be, other Linking Verbs) r Practice 1
Forms of Be A finking verb is a verb that connects a werd at or near the beginning of a sentence wjth a
word at or near the end. In English ttre most cornmon linking verb is some form uf be.

THE FORMS OF BE
am am being can be shall be ha-ve-been might have been
are are being could,be should be has-been must have been
is is being may be will be had been shall have beerr
was was being miglrt be wouid be could have been should have been
were were being must be may have been will have been
rvould have been

Other Linktng Verbs Other v-;bs may be used in tLre same ways as be to link two parts of a sentence.

OTHER LINISNGVERBS
appear feel look seem sound taste
become grow remain smell stay turn

|@rRecognizingFormsofBeUsedasLinkingVerbs.Circletheformofbeineach
t'
sentencebelow.Then underline the words in the sentencethat the verb links.
EXAMPLE: ceor 6alT?) our new class president.
-
1. The fans were eager for a win.

2. The purpose of the experiment was not clear to us.

3. Some of the council members were angry about the tax proposal.

4. Like my mother, I am al ardent music lover.

5. Both candidates were optimistic throughout the day.

6. One of tJ:e boxes was completely empty.

7. Reviews in both major papers were unfavorable.

8. Some people are arxious about dental appointments.

9. This colorfirl poster is suitable for framing.

1O. T-shirts are popular dress among young people.

N

|>r@RecognizingotherLinkingVerbs.Circlethelinkingverbineachsentence'Then
lt
underline the words that the verb links.
EXAMPLE: Aunt Ethel G-d;D happy with our visit.
--
1. fhe patient looks better today.

2. The lemonade tastes sour.

3. The crowd became angry.

4. The old bam smelled musty.

5. That music sounds too loud.

O Prenfice-Holl,
Inc. Linking
Verbs . 15
(Be,0therlinkingVerbs)
 Active and Passive Voice (DifferencesBetween
Active and Passive Voice, Forms of Passive Verbs)
3 Differences
' Practice 1
Between Active and Passive Voice Voice is the form of a verb that shows whether or
not the subject is performing ttre action. A verb is active if its subject performs the action. A verb is passive
if its action is performed upon the subject.

Active Voice Passive Voiee

Alice le-)fta message. A message ruas le;ft by Alice.
We caiied the doctor. The doctor was called
The Forms of Passive Verbs
A passive verb is made from a form of be plus the past participle of a transitive verb.

THE VTRB TUU.OW IN THD PASSIVE VOICD

Tense Basie Forms Progressive Forms
Present I am followed. I am being followed.
Past I was followed. I was beinA followed.
Future I will be followed.
Present Perfect I have been followed.
Past Perfect I had been followed.
Future Perfect I w'ill have been followed

@DistinguishingBetweentheActiveandPassiveVoice.Aft'ereachsentence,write
' actiue or passiue to describethe verb.
EXAMPIE: That book was autographed by tlre auttror. passiue

I 1. The authorities have been notified.

2. This lettuce was grown in our own garden.
3. Mom added fresh mushrooms just before serving the salad.
4. Delegates to ttre convention have already been selected.
5. Every scrap of food was eaten duing the party.
6. The team will elect a new captajn tomorrow.
7. 'Itrat car was stolen from the municipal parking lot.
8. Lydia has been visiting us ttris week.
9. Damian has already chosen his courses.
10. The govemor has been asked to speak.

@FormingtheTensesofPassiveVerbs.Writettrebasicformsofeachofthe
' following verbs in the passivevoice.
1. say (with it) 2. drive (with they) 3. tell (with you) 4. praise (with u.re)

'_ $

@ Prenlke-Holl.
Inc. Active
ondPossive (Differenres
Voice Befween ondPussive
Active Voice,
Forms
of Posive o 127
Verbs)
Name

i*l Active and Passive Voic (DiffererieesBetween

Active and Passive Voice, Forms ofPassive Verbs)
-
o Practice 2

@DistinguishingBetweentheActiveandPassiveVojce.Identjfyeachverbasacthrc
or Passrue.
EXAMPLE: The letter was signed by the hisident. passiue
1. The bitter medicine was taken by my sister.
2. Delegates to the convention have been chosen bythe voters.
3. We each purchased several new outfits for spring.
A
tater, the speaker wrote a letter of apclogl.
5. Bread crumbs were then sprinkled on the fish.
6 . Many wild animals live in the forest.
7 . Surgery was performed by a team of specialists.
8. Ellen grew her own fresh vegetables this su[lmer.
9. In the vrinter snoq/ covers the morrntains,
1 0. The bad news was tJren given to Brad by the coach.
1 1. Representatives had been selected earlier by Congress.
L 2, Kansas City was reached by the eonvoy in two hours.
r3 . I always read the evening newspaper aft.er dinner.
t4. After a debate the report was accepted by the chairperson.
15. The President has appointed a new ambassador.

THE VERB CIIILL IN THE PASSTVE VOICE

kesent she is called
Past she was called
Future she will be called
Present Perfect she has been called
Past Perfect she had been called
Future Perfect she will have been called
Present Progressive she is being called
Past kogressive she was being called

@FormingtheTensesofPassiveVerbs.Conjugateeachverbinthepassivevoice,
' using the chart above as your model.
l. type ftMithi0 2. forgive (with r.ue) 3. sell (with i0 4. alert (with they)

q
128. Grommor
Exercise
Workbook @ Prentice-Hull,
Inc.
 iBf.l ACttfie an(l faSStlle \/()tCe (Using Voice Comect$f-
- . Practice 1
3 Using Voice Correctly Use the active voice whenever possible. Use tJle passive voice to emphasize the
receivir of tfie action rather tJ:an the performer of the action. Use the passive voice to point out the recei'rer
of an action whenever the performer is not important or not easily identified.

TITE IIERB IN THE PASSTVE VOICE

My term paper tllas typedby my sister.
(Unnecessary passive; better: I\4y sister typed my term
paper.)
The accident victims were rushed to the hospital by ambulance.
@mphasDes the victims rather than the ambulance.)
The iibrary is clasedon Saturdays during the summer'
(Performer is not important and unlcrown.)

t--

l)@DistinguishingBetweenAppropriateand|nappropriateLisesofPassive
1/
Voice. I-abel the ttrree necessaryuses of tJrepassivevoice in ttre sentencesbelow as A (appropriate).
Label the ottrer uses as U (unnecessary).
D(AMPLE: Jason was asked bv his mother to answer the phone.
1.' A grand slam home run was hit by the catcher.
2. Lincobe was elected to his first term in 186O.
3. This sweater was knitted for me by my favorite aunt.
4. In 1983 the America s Cup races were won by Australia.
5. Many restaurants are closed on Mondays.
\ 6. That model airplane was made by Paul.
$ 7. Federal income tax returns must be postrnarked by midnight on April 15.
8. Candidates will be judged by the voters on their merits, not on their
speeches.
9. I have been being followed by that dog for three blocks.
IO. Dinner is being fixed by Mom right now.

|@Us
,' in g th e Ac ti v e Vo i c e .R e w ri te fi veoft}resentencesthatyoul abel edU i nE xerci se
I. Change or add words as necessaqr to put each verb into the active voice'
EXAMPTE: Jason's mather askedhimto answer ttueptnne.

1.
2.
3.
4.
c.

Inc.
@ Prenlice-Hqll, Active Voice
ondPossive Voite(orrecfly)
tUsing o I29
 Date

?E Active and Passive Voice (usingVoicecorrectly)

-- . Practi ce 2
g
-@CorrectingUnnecessaryUseofthePassiveVoice.Rewritethefollowing
pa-ragraph,chaqing at least five uses of the passive voice to active.
EXAMPIE: Loch Ness is beirg studiedby many scientists.
Mang scientistsare sfr,tdqirwLrchNess
(1) For years a so-called monster has been spotted by visitors to Loch Ness in
Scotland. (2) The large
creature has been reported by many wikresses. {3) Do lake monsters really exist? (4) These reports have
been questioned by scientists. {5) According to some Canadian scientists, the sighiings may bi erplained
by
temperature inversions. (6) A temperature inversion occurs when the temperatr:ie of-a Uoay of waier
is
much lower t]-an the temperature of the air above it. {7) E:<periments were conducted by scientists on
Lake
Winnipeg' Canada' during a temperature inversion. (8) TWo photos of an ordinarlr stickhoating on t].e
lake
were taken only three minutes apart. (9) The bending, or refraction, of light by the inversion made
t]le stick appear to be a strangely shaped 'monster.' (1O) These photos liave ""rr"Ld
been accepted by some
scientists as proof that the lake monsters are really ordinary objects that appear distorted because of
a
temperature inversion.

I
I

I
I
I

using the Active and PassiveVoice in writing. write ffve sentences

describing the events tJ:at happened on your way to school this moming. leclude one se.ntence using
tJre passive voice. Make sure all tlle other sentences use flre active voice.

130. Grommor
Exercise
Workbook @ Prenlice-Holl,
lnc.
 ?:
,f

E Nale Date
.E
I
i
i
rt
F
@ Action Verbs . Practicel
't
n
t
,l
Visible and Menta! Action A verb is a.word that e4presses tirne while showing an action, a condition,
I - the fact that somettring exists. An ac+ion verb is a r,-erb that tells what action someone or something is
or
performing. An action verb may show mental action as well as visible acticn.

Visible Action Mental Action

dig yeii woncier hope
measure play believe think

Transitive and Intransitive Verbs An aciion verb is transitive if it directs action toward someone or
something. An acticrn .,'erb is intransitive if it does not direct action toward someone or something.

Transitive Intransitive
AngSeplagedbaseball. Danrry plagedwell.
(played w-hat?) baseball (played what?) no answer

t\
l@RecognizingVisib|eandMenta|Actions.Underlineeachverbt]ratshowsvisib1e
v
action. Circle each verb that shows mental action.
EXAMPLE:No one ttre quesf,on.
@
I Hansel and Gretel wandered througfr the forest.
2. The teacher careftrlly 6ila.red\}"e question.
\---l

3. Grandma alwavs gives me a treat.

A
David wrote an erccellent essay.

D. The plane glided to a stop.

----\' -
o. WQ_wantlgl to si:rprise Jessica with a birthday party.

7. Our team built the best sand castle.

8. Last night o.rt r*o,iry4@tout our surnmer vacaLion.

:i q
/-:,
Oarin fui_g@!,[or a career
-- in music.

^ I f
ri
|
D; rCct UbJ( c[
10. We planted maigolds a1l around the vegetable garden. - '
ii
{
iL

J
|i
@DistinguishingBetweenTransitiveand|ntransitiveVerbs.Oneachblarrkatthe
)'
right, write trarsitiue or intransititseto describe the action verb in each sentence. I ?f I
1i *9
t, EXAMPLE: Janet
EXAMPLE: Janet studied
studied hard
hard for
for the
the test. intransi.tisse
test. _ intransitisse- - T - + K\
1. My motherq!5fied Latin in *rn
ii
;t

;: 2. All ttre scout troopp

""n*rL
the holiday paraAe. L
-L-\nL,5,'"
-D.6---
@cbglin
l1
3. Dana entered her poem in tl:e contest. I r-n s.-l-t
3 4. The
-
spectacular
desserts.
:i
it "h.Ep*rg T <.-= ' r
il
;$
5. The cowhand swugg his lariat high above his head. 4 t
:l
,t
.t 6. The monkevs srilung from tree to tree.
- ---
ri.
1l-
7. hairie dogs.llgngglunderground.
iE 8. We \--
divided tl:e rest of the cake arnong us.
it

,r,ir
i:
9. The train departed an hour late. .J-
il 10. Aft.er their long trek, the hikers ate greedily. S
rl -.-v

I
'i

il @ Prenlice-Holl,
Inc Action
Verbs.13
 Name Date

@ Linking VerbS (Be, Other Linking Verbs) r Practice 1

Forms of Be A linking verb is a verb that connects a word at or near the beginning sf a sentence wiih a
word at or near the end. Le En$ish the most cornmon tinking verb is some form of be.

TIIE FORMS OF, BE

arn am being canbe shallbe have been might have-been
are are being could be should be has been- must harre,been
is is being may be will be had been shall have been
was was being might be wor:.ld be could have been should have been
were were being must be may have been will have been
wouid have been

Other Linking Verbs Other verbs may be used in the same ways as be to link two parts of a-sentence.

OTHER LIIIIKING \IERBS

appear feel look seem sound faste
become grow remain smell stay turn

ttta RecognizingFormsof BeUsedas LinkingVerbs. circle the formof bein each

D*t
tt
sentence below. Then underline the words in the sentence tha'r- the verb links.
EXAMPTE:ceotr 6a?B-d) our new classDresident.
_.^\ -
t . rne !gs(9yl eagerfor a win.

2. ThepurDose of thb experim.ttVG

V
not clear to us.
^

3 . s o m e ffi @ry.
fl 4. Like my mother, I@lan
a
ardent music lover

5. Both candidateqdelq optimistic @ror*L.thedey*

v

6. One of+he-bcrxes6?\ completelv empty.

z. Renews_=+o+h.nqiorppFs
@ lry
8. somerr&fe\n*ious@
--
9. This colorfi:l ng$1@suitaUte fttrffi?
. '
tO. f-shirts @)popular dress,amonF*nfeoPle-
t,\
|)@RecognizingotherLinkingVerbs.Circlethelinkingverbineachsentence'Ttren
tl
underline the words that the verb links.
EXAMPIE: Aunt Ethel happy with or:r visit.
@
1. *.!"o.r,@bgtoday.
2. The lemonad.(G
- \ - - l-
"orr..
3. The crowd6"&rery.
>r_f
4. rhe old bgg(smerynu:st.v.
s. Thatmusic6oG)too tor-ra.

@ Prenlice-Holl,
lnc. (Ee,O$erLinking
Verbs
Linking . 15
Verbs)
 Name-

@ Active and Passive Voice (Differences

Between
Active and Passive Voice, Forms of Passive Verbs)
t
E
? o Practice 1
Differences Between Active and Passive Voice Voice is the form of a verb that shows whether or
not the subject is performing the action. A verb is active if its subject performs the action. A verb is passive
if its action is performed upon ttre subject.

Active Voice Passive Voice

Alice le;ft a message. A message roas le;ftby Alice.
We calLed the doctor. The doctor was called.
The Foms of Passive Verbs
A passive verb is made from a form of be plus the past participle of a transitive verb.

THE VERB TT'I.LOWIN THE PASSTVE VOICE

Tense Baslc Forms Progressive Forms
Present I am followed. I am being followed.
Past I was followed. I was being followed.
Future I will be followed.
Present Perfect I have been followed.
Past Perfect I had been followed.
Future Perfect I will have been followed

@DistinguishingBetweentheActiveandPassiveVoice.Aftereachsentence,write
' actiueor passlueto describethe verb.
EXAMPLE: That book was autographed by the author. passiue
1. The authorities have been notified. Pa SS t ., q*
2. This lettuce r'as grown in our o*r, g*d.n@

'*ffiQ
4. Delegates to the convention-have already Feen qelected. i tX-
Pq,SS
5. Every scrap of food was eaten during the party. >a SSiUa-
-
f u. The team will elect a new captain tomorrow. aT+it-q
7. 'thatcar was stolen from the municipal parking lot. (2cq5 it-rQ
---I--*-t
t,/t . dr*-
('l{.. Lydia has been visiting us this week.

P-fn Damian has already chosen his courses. Qc*vt-t

1O. The governor has been asked to speak. rUA---
C>+-<<
F \ l-
Itt EI!fl Formingthe Tensesof PassiveVerbs. write the basicformsof eachof the
folowing verbs in the passive voice.

2. drive (with they) 3. tell (with you) r 4. praise (with ue)

-Fi ss.rt Th"v dclv(o Ya.-, ..q d \e t",",4-;# p-.fA
FI

".e
,,a,ttt".n ffit{ "ra-\^ -
%
L# t^r-<. Sq, t -
r+ ,-; [ ( be Sq^e .--ALk\l./n wl\t [.< tt'tC.
5aA
^f!k
ffi.<
e! C:ncnIt'tllf ffilr ne* h,e( pq$
,oJ h"rn
L\^A, bea4hk ,^.'\l. h^u< ilcAa
t4/n 5-,
E
'3 Lxeqfrr'-rA gra14

O Prenfice-Holl,
Inc. ondPossive
Active (Differences
Voice Belween ondPossive
Aclive Voire,
Forms
of Posive
Verbs).127
 Active and Passive Voice (Differences
Between
Active and Passive Voice, Forms of Passive Verbs)
o Practice 2
N

|@DistinguishingBetweentheActiveandPassiveVoice.Identifyeachverbasactiue
t'
or passiue.
EXAMPIE: The letter was signed by the President. passiue
--?;3-'J<
1. The bitter medicinewas taken by my sister.
2. Delegates to the convention have been chosen by the voters. <56 Cfy R
f
J. We each purchased several new outfits for spring. (].Z-t!\.-\
4. [,ater, the speaker wrote a letter of apologr. a-e,ttLSL
i]il c. Bread crumbt'*-.lg)ir."
--'1,\
sprinkled on the nsir.
, ?65tu4
il
6. Many wild animals live in the forest. fut-TvV:t-
7. Surgery was performed by a team of specialists.
8. Ellen grew her own fresh vegetables this suruner. & Ct+n';
9. In the winter snow covers the mountains. 4dLvL
10. The bad n.*@lnen given to Brad by the coach. p <^ 55 r.rA
11. n"n.."..rt"ti.rFn^oG-D"electedearlieroy"ongr."@
L2. Kansas Citf.ggC'reached by the convoy in two hours. bfn ts r-q-
13. I always read the eveningnewspaper after dinner W
L4. After a debate ttre reprtrddaccepted by the chairperson. tLrq
15. The President has appointed a new ambassador.

THE VERB CAI' IN THE PASSTVE VOICE

Present she is called
Past she was called
Future she will be called
Present Perfect she has been called
Past Perfect she had been called
Future Perfect she urill have been called
Present Progpessive she is being called
Past Progressive she was being called

@FormingtheTensesofPassiveVerbs.Conjugateeachverbinthepassivevoice,
- using the chart aboveas your model.
1. type (with it) 3. sell (with it) 4. alert {with fheU)
d
I

\
I t..-aS A
I r^-JfL bq .t-.-u\Lb < h/itI b.
I qug &er\

Va,,/e.Q- bA\nq

I28 o Grommor
Exercise
Workbook @ Prenlice-Holl.
Inc.
 @ Active and Passive Voice (usins Voicecorrectly)
. Practice 1
&
f B -
Using Voice Correctly Use the active voice whenever possible. Use the passive voice to emphasize the
receiver of the action rather than the performer of the action. Use the passive voice to point out the receiver
of an action whenever the performer is not important or not easily identjfied.

THE VERB IN THE PASSTVE VOICE

My term paper LUastypedby my sister.
(Unnecessary passive; better: My sister typed my term
paper.)
The accident victims were rushed to the hospital by ambulance.
@mphasDes the victims rather than the ambulance.)
The library is clased on Saturdays during the summer.
(Performer is not important and unlcrown.)

|>
tt
@DistinguishingB etweenA p p ro p ria t e a n d |n a p p ro p ria t e Us e s o f P a s s iv e
Voice. Iabel the three necessary uses of tJ.e passive voice in the sentences below as A (appropriate).
Label the ottrer uses as U (unnecessary).
EXAMPTE: Jason was asked by his mother to answer tJre phone. U
l. A grand slam home run was hit by the catcher. t)
2. Lincolre was elected to his first term in 1860. t@ -/4
3. This sweater was knitted for me by my favorite aunt. t )
4. In 1983 the America's Cup races were won by eustralia. (-/
5. Many restaurants are closed on Mondays
O
B i: That model airplane was made by Paul.
Federal income tax returns must be postmarked by midnight on April 15. 4
8. Candidates will be judqed by the voters on their merits, not on their
speeches. U
9. I have been being followed by that dog for three blocks.
10. Dinner is being llxed by Mom right now. [.]

|E Us ing th e Ac ti v e Vo | c e .R e w ri te ti v eotthesentenceS thatyoul abel edU i nE xerci se

- l. Change or add words as necessary to put each verb into tJle active voice.
EXAMPLE: Jason's mather askedhimto crtsu)er the ptwre.
1.
2.
3.
4.
c.

lnc.
@ Prenfice-Holl, Aclive
ondPossive
Voice Voire(orrecllyl
(Using o 129
 Date

Active and Passit'e Voice (usingVoicecorrectly)

o Fractice 2

l>@ Useof the passivevoice. Rewritethe following

GorrectingUnnecessary
- paragraph, changing at least five uses of the passive voice to active.
EXAMPLE: Loch Ness is beins studiedby manlr scientists.
sci-entists are Loch Ness

ducteC by scientists on Lake

lll. tnree mnutes apart. lv|rne oenorng, or rerracuon, oI ugnt ct'LrfiRo Dy trre rnverslon
'+.Pe:.",:tr=S.ly shaped "monster." (1,0)Thesephotos have beenhccept bv some
.iii scientists as prdof that the lake monsters are really ordinary objects that appddistorted because of a
temperature in

&-<-.,\teJ r-.ongbr'6r-fasrs *f Loc\

^ *t"l nASE-f t'g^-e f?
@Als+s <strcn

l
i
ii

|@UsingtheActiveandPassiveVoiceinWriting.Writefivesentences
t'
describing t'lle events that happened on your way to school this moming. Include one sentenceusing
the passivevoice. Make sure all the other sentencesuse the active voice.

130. Grommor
Exercise
Workbook @ Prenfice-Holl,
Inc.