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Verbs (Basics) 01
When you say "The squirrel ate the nut" it is the word "ate" that is the verb in the sentence.

Verbs (Basics) 01

Verbs show actions and states. Learn how strong, precise verbs make KS3 writing clearer, livelier, and more accurate.

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Fascinating Fact:

Good writing picks precise verbs, sprint beats move, whisper beats say, the right choice saves words and sharpens meaning.

In KS3 English, verbs are the engine of a sentence. You’ll learn how main and auxiliary verbs work, how tense and agreement operate, and why precise verb choices make your writing vivid and concise.

  • Verb: A word that shows an action or a state of being, e.g., run, think, is.
  • Auxiliary verb: A “helping” verb that supports a main verb to form tense or voice, e.g., be, have, do, will.
  • Infinitive: The base form of a verb, often shown as “to + verb,” e.g., to write, to decide.
What is a verb in KS3 English?

A verb is a word that expresses an action or a state, such as jump, feel, or is. Every complete sentence needs a verb.

What is the difference between a main verb and an auxiliary verb?

The main verb carries the core meaning (write). An auxiliary helps it form tense or voice (is writing, has written, was written).

How can I choose stronger verbs in my writing?

Replace vague verbs with precise ones. For example, use sprinted instead of went and whispered instead of said quietly.

1 .
Find the verb(s) in the following sentence.
The family entered the museum and looked at the plan.
entered, looked
family, museum
family, plan
museum, plan
Verbs are action words: "entered" and "looked" are actions
2 .
Find the verb(s) in the following sentence.
The science museum displayed many exciting exhibits.
displayed
exciting
museum
science
"Displayed" is the verb here
3 .
Find the verb(s) in the following sentence.
The family visited the space section first.
family
section
space
visited
"Visited" is the action word here; it is what the family DO
4 .
Find the verb(s) in the following sentence.
Old cars and trains filled the next floor of the museum.
cars
filled
floor
trains
Use a variety of verbs to make your writing interesting
5 .
Find the verb(s) in the following sentence.
"Eat your lunch now," said the mother.
Eat, said
lunch, mother
your, mother
your, now
Other verbs for "said" include "told", "uttered" and "declared"
6 .
Find the verb(s) in the following sentence.
They climbed to the third floor.
climbed
floor
They
third
Other verbs for "climbed" include "ascended" and "clambered"
7 .
Find the verb(s) in the following sentence.
The sunlight streamed through the large windows.
large
streamed
sunlight
windows
Other verbs for "streamed" include "poured" and "flooded". Synonyms for verbs are, unsurprisingly, also verbs
8 .
Find the verb(s) in the following sentence.
The lifts carried people to the top floor.
carried
floor
lifts
people
Other verbs for "carried" include "transported" and "took"
9 .
Find the verb(s) in the following sentence.
The museum closed at five o'clock.
closed
five
museum
o'clock
"Closed" is what the museum DID
10 .
Find the verb(s) in the following sentence.
Thunder crashed as they ran home through the rain.
crashed, ran
home, rain
they, the
Thunder, home
"Crashed" and "ran" are both action words, or, in other words, verbs
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - What is a verb?

Author:  Sue Daish (English Teacher, Principal Examiner & Published Author)

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