Action Verbs
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Verbs are exciting words! Action verbs tell us what someone or something is doing. Let us learn all about them!
What Is an Action Verb?
An action verb is a word that shows action - something someone or something does.
Think: What can I DO? Run, jump, eat, sleep, read - these are all action verbs!
Examples of Action Verbs
- Movement: run, walk, jump, skip, dance, swim, climb
- Actions with things: throw, catch, kick, push, pull, carry
- Everyday actions: eat, drink, sleep, read, write, draw, play
- Making sounds: talk, sing, yell, whisper, laugh, cry
Finding Action Verbs
To find the action verb, ask: "What is happening?" or "What did someone do?"
Example: "The dog barks loudly."
Ask: What does the dog do? It barks. The verb is "barks."
Every Sentence Needs a Verb!
A sentence is not complete without a verb. The verb tells us what is happening!
- Not a sentence: "The tall boy" (no verb!)
- Complete sentence: "The tall boy runs." (now we know what he does!)
Worked Examples
Example 1: Finding the Action Verb
Sentence: "The cat jumped over the fence."
Step 1: Ask: What did the cat do?
Step 2: The cat jumped.
Action verb: jumped
Example 2: Choosing the Right Verb
Fill in the blank: "The birds _____ in the sky."
Think: What do birds do in the sky?
Good answers: fly, soar, glide
"The birds fly in the sky."
Example 3: Action Verb or Not?
Is "beautiful" an action verb?
Test: Can you DO "beautiful"? Can you "beautiful" something?
No! "Beautiful" is not an action verb. It describes something (it is an adjective).
Example 4: Multiple Verbs in a Sentence
Sentence: "She runs and jumps at the park."
Question: What does she do?
Answer: She does two things!
Action verbs: runs, jumps
Example 5: Writing with Action Verbs
Make this sentence better: "The dog went outside."
Think: "Went" is okay, but we can use a more exciting verb!
Better sentences:
- "The dog raced outside."
- "The dog bounced outside."
- "The dog dashed outside."
Practice Problems
Practice identifying and using action verbs!
Problem 1: Find the action verb: "The baby cries."
Show Answer
cries - What does the baby do? It cries.
Problem 2: Is "happy" an action verb?
Show Answer
No - You cannot DO "happy." It describes how someone feels.
Problem 3: Find the action verb: "Mom bakes cookies."
Show Answer
bakes - What does Mom do? She bakes.
Problem 4: Fill in the blank with an action verb: "The frog _____ into the pond."
Show Answer
Examples: jumped, hopped, leaped, splashed
Problem 5: Find all the action verbs: "She sings and dances on stage."
Show Answer
sings and dances
Problem 6: Is "swim" an action verb?
Show Answer
Yes! You can DO swimming. It is something you do in the water.
Problem 7: Find the action verb: "The wind blows the leaves."
Show Answer
blows - What does the wind do? It blows.
Problem 8: Fill in the blank: "The children _____ in the playground."
Show Answer
Examples: play, run, laugh, climb, swing
Problem 9: Write a sentence using the action verb "throw."
Show Answer
Examples: "I throw the ball." or "She throws the ball to her friend."
Problem 10: Find the action verb: "We eat lunch at noon."
Show Answer
eat - What do we do? We eat.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1: What is an action verb?
Show Answer
An action verb is a word that shows action - something someone or something does.
Question 2: How can you find the action verb in a sentence?
Show Answer
Ask: "What is happening?" or "What did someone do?" The answer is the action verb!
Question 3: Why does every sentence need a verb?
Show Answer
A verb tells what is happening. Without a verb, we do not know what the sentence is about!
Question 4: Name five action verbs.
Show Answer
Examples: run, jump, eat, read, sing, dance, write, play, climb, swim (any action words!)
Next Steps
- Practice: Find action verbs in the books you read
- Play: Act out different action verbs!
- Write: Use exciting action verbs in your writing
- Challenge: Can you think of 10 different ways to move?