A Action & Linking Verbs - Free Printable

Sure! Let’s solve this worksheet step by step.

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📌 What are Action Verbs and Linking Verbs?

- Action Verbs: Show physical or mental action. They tell what someone or something *does*.
- Examples: run, jump, think, carry, write

- Linking Verbs: Connect the subject to a word that describes or identifies it (like an adjective or noun). They don’t show action — they “link” the subject to more information.
- Common linking verbs: be, am, is, are, was, were, become, seem, appear, feel, look, sound, smell, taste
- Note: Some verbs (like *feel*, *look*, *taste*) can be either action OR linking depending on context!

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Now let’s go through each sentence:

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✔ Sentence-by-Sentence Solutions

(1) The problems became more difficult later in the test.
→ Verb: became
→ Type: Linking (It links “problems” to “more difficult” — describing them)

(2) Light objects float easily in the pool.
→ Verb: float
→ Type: Action (Shows what the objects do — physically move on water)

(3) The workmen carried the boxes into the warehouse.
→ Verb: carried
→ Type: Action (Physical movement — carrying boxes)

(4) These jeans are too small for me now.
→ Verb: are
→ Type: Linking (Links “jeans” to “too small” — describing them)

(5) There are twelve eggs in a carton.
→ Verb: are
→ Type: Linking (In “there are,” it’s used to indicate existence — still functions as linking verb connecting “there” to “twelve eggs”)

(6) She attaches labels to the boxes.
→ Verb: attaches
→ Type: Action (She performs the physical act of attaching)

(7) There is a pair of shoes near the door.
→ Verb: is
→ Type: Linking (Indicates existence — links “there” to “a pair of shoes”)

(8) This door is very creaky.
→ Verb: is
→ Type: Linking (Links “door” to “creaky” — describing it)

(9) This mechanical pencil has no more lead.
→ Verb: has
→ Type: Action (Possession — shows ownership/action of possessing; not linking)

> 💡 *Note: “Has” is usually an action verb meaning “to possess.”*

(10) Andrew wants a new backpack.
→ Verb: wants
→ Type: Action (Mental action — desire/intent)

(11) Please hand me the red screwdriver.
→ Verb: hand
→ Type: Action (Physical action — giving something)

(12) The brown suitcase looks heavy.
→ Verb: looks
→ Type: Linking (Describes how the suitcase appears — links to “heavy”)

(13) The big computer is very fast.
→ Verb: is
→ Type: Linking (Links “computer” to “fast” — describing speed)

(14) Those dresses are very pretty.
→ Verb: are
→ Type: Linking (Links “dresses” to “pretty” — describing appearance)

(15) There are three children in the park.
→ Verb: are
→ Type: Linking (Existence — links “there” to “three children”)

(16) There were a big car and a small car in the garage.
→ Verb: were
→ Type: Linking (Existence — links “there” to the cars)

(17) He felt happy after the test.
→ Verb: felt
→ Type: Linking (Describes his emotional state — links “he” to “happy”)

> ❗ *Important*: If it were “He felt the fabric,” then “felt” = action (touching). But here, it’s emotion → linking.

(18) The copier is out of paper.
→ Verb: is
→ Type: Linking (Links “copier” to its state — “out of paper”)

(19) The computer starts with a chime.
→ Verb: starts
→ Type: Action (The computer performs the action of beginning operation)

(20) The cat’s fur feels very soft.
→ Verb: feels
→ Type: Linking (Describes the texture of the fur — links “fur” to “soft”)

> 🔁 Again, if it said “She feels the cat’s fur,” it would be action. Here, it’s describing → linking.

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✍️ Final Answer Key:

| Sentence | Verb | Type |
|----------|--------------|----------|
| (1) | became | Linking |
| (2) | float | Action |
| (3) | carried | Action |
| (4) | are | Linking |
| (5) | are | Linking |
| (6) | attaches | Action |
| (7) | is | Linking |
| (8) | is | Linking |
| (9) | has | Action |
| (10) | wants | Action |
| (11) | hand | Action |
| (12) | looks | Linking |
| (13) | is | Linking |
| (14) | are | Linking |
| (15) | are | Linking |
| (16) | were | Linking |
| (17) | felt | Linking |
| (18) | is | Linking |
| (19) | starts | Action |
| (20) | feels | Linking |

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✔ Summary Tip: When in doubt, ask:
> “Does the verb describe what the subject *does*?” → Action
> “Does the verb connect the subject to a description or state?” → Linking

Let me know if you’d like a printable version or flashcards for practice! 😊