Simple Steps to Sentence Sense - Step Two - Finding the Verb

Summary

In this instructional video, Charlene Tess, author of 'Simple Steps to Sentence Sets', introduces an 8-step method for English sentence analysis. She emphasizes the importance of identifying prepositional phrases and verbs, explaining how to distinguish between action and linking verbs using a substitution test. Tess also clarifies the role of verb phrases and adverbs within them. The video is aimed at simplifying the process of sentence analysis for students of various levels, with resources available on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Takeaways

• 📝 Sentence analysis is simplified by following a sequence of 8 steps outlined in Charlene Tess's 'Simple Steps to Sentence Sets'.
• 🔍 Step one involves identifying prepositional phrases using a list of prepositions, which helps in finding the sentence's structure.
• 💃 The verb is the most crucial part of a sentence, representing either a mental or physical action, such as 'think' or 'run'.
• 🔄 Some verbs can act as both action and linking verbs, depending on the context, and are indicated with a dot on the SAM (Sentence Analysis Map) sheet.
• ✅ The substitution test can determine if a verb is action or linking by checking if it can be replaced with a form of 'to be'.
• 🔑 All verbs have an -ing form, which is a key identifier for them, such as 'running' from 'run' or 'being' from 'is', 'am', 'are', etc.
• 🔄 A verb phrase includes the main verb and any helping verbs, with a maximum of four words in the phrase.
• 📖 The SAM sheet provides a list of helping verbs, which are essential for identifying verb phrases.
• 📚 Adverbs can modify verbs and may be found within a verb phrase, such as 'quietly' in 'quietly bubbling'.
• 👀 The SAM sheet also includes a list of common adverbs that interrupt verb phrases, helping to identify non-verbs within phrases.
• 📚 Charlene Tess offers a comprehensive program on Teachers Pay Teachers, tailored for different educational levels, including elementary, middle, and high school students.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video presented by Charlene Tess?

The main purpose of the video is to demonstrate the simplicity of analyzing an English sentence by following 8 simple steps, starting with identifying the verb.

What is the first step in sentence analysis according to Charlene Tess?

The first step is to find the prepositional phrases using a list of prepositions and a sentence analysis map.

What are prepositional phrases and why are they important in sentence analysis?

Prepositional phrases are groups of words that begin with a preposition and end with a noun or pronoun. They are important because they help in identifying the parts of the sentence and simplifying it for further analysis.

Why is identifying the verb considered the most important part of sentence analysis?

Identifying the verb is crucial because it expresses mental or physical action and is a key component in understanding the meaning of a sentence.

What are linking verbs and how do they differ from action verbs?

Linking verbs express a state of being and link the subject to the predicate, such as 'is', 'am', 'are', etc. They differ from action verbs, which express physical or mental actions like 'think' or 'run'.

How can one determine if a verb is an action verb or a linking verb using the substitution test?

If a verb can be replaced with a form of 'to be' (is, am, are, etc.) and the sentence still makes sense, it is a linking verb. If it cannot be replaced, it is an action verb.

What is a verb phrase and what is its maximum length according to the script?

A verb phrase consists of the main verb and any helping verbs that accompany it. The maximum number of words in a verb phrase is four.

How can adverbs modify verbs and where are they typically found in a sentence?

Adverbs modify verbs by providing more information about how, when, where, or to what extent the action occurs. They can be found inside a verb phrase, such as 'quietly' in 'the coffee was quietly bubbling'.

What is the 'SAM sheet' mentioned in the video and what does it include?

The 'SAM sheet' is a tool used for sentence analysis that includes a list of prepositions, linking verbs, helping verbs, and common adverbs that interrupt verb phrases.

Where can one find the complete 'Simple Steps to Sentence Sense' program and for which age groups is it available?

The complete program can be found on Teachers Pay Teachers, and it is available for elementary school, ESL students, middle school, and high school students.

What is the significance of the ING form in identifying verbs in a sentence?

The ING form is significant because all verbs have an ING form, which helps in identifying them as verbs, such as 'running' for 'run' and 'being' for forms of 'to be'.