The verb of the sentence tells what the subject DOES or IS. The verb can also describe a state of being.​

​VERBS

A useful way to find the verb(s) is to ​read the sentence aloud three times:

​

• the first time, add the word "today" at the beginning of the sentence

• the second time, add "yesterday"

• the third time, add "tomorrow"​

​

​Note which words in the sentence have to change each time to make the sentence correct. THOSE ARE YOUR VERBS.

​How to Identify a Verb

​

Hiking is my favorite activity.

​

• Today, hiking IS my favorite activity.

• Yesterday, hiking WAS my favorite activity.

• Tomorrow, hiking WILL BE my favorite activity.

​

Note that "hiking" doesn't change​. Even though it's an action word, "hiking" is NOT the verb in this sentence.

​

​For example:

​

The main verb of a sentence will not have "to" before it.​

​

• Jamal rented a stretch limo to impress his girlfriend.

​

In this sentence, "rented" is the main verb, not "impress."​

​

​A tip:

​

Any verb ending in "-ing" will only be the verb of the sentence if it follows a "to be" verb (e.g., is, am, are, was, were)​

​

• Carmen is helping her mother with the grocery shopping.

​

In this sentence, "is helping" is the main verb.

​

​A tip:

​