What does the word verb mean in language arts?

In language arts, a verb is a word that describes an action, occurrence, or state of being. It's the core of a sentence, telling us what the subject is doing or experiencing.

Here's a breakdown:

* Action Verbs: These describe physical actions, like "run", "jump", "eat", "write", "sing", "paint".

* Linking Verbs: These connect the subject to a word or phrase that describes or identifies it. Examples include "is", "are", "was", "were", "seems", "appears", "feels".

* Helping Verbs: These work with main verbs to create different tenses, moods, or voices. Examples include "will", "have", "has", "had", "can", "could", "may", "might", "should", "would".

Think of it this way: Verbs are the "doing" words in a sentence. They give the sentence its action and make it dynamic.

Here are some examples:

* The dog barks. (The verb "barks" describes the action of the dog.)

* She is happy. (The linking verb "is" connects the subject "she" to the description "happy".)

* He has been sleeping. (The helping verb "has" combines with the main verb "been sleeping" to create a particular tense.)

Understanding verbs is crucial for building strong sentences and expressing yourself clearly in writing and speech.