Identify linking or action verbs in sentences.
Worksheet for identifying linking and action verbs with underlined words in sentences.
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Action Verbs Linking Verbs | Turtle Diary Worksheet
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Action Verbs Linking Verbs | Turtle Diary Worksheet
Let's solve this step by step. The task is to identify whether the underlined verb in each sentence is a linking verb or an action verb.
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- Action Verb: Shows physical or mental action (e.g., run, think, eat).
- Linking Verb: Connects the subject to a subject complement (often describing a state of being). Common linking verbs include: *be, become, seem, appear, look, feel, smell, taste, sound, grow, remain* — but context matters!
Now let’s go through each sentence:
---
- "looks" – This describes the action of looking at something.
- It shows what he is doing → Action verb
- ✔ Action ✔️
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- "felt" – She physically touched the fabrics.
- This is a physical action → Action verb
- ✔ Action ✔️
---
- "will be" – "Be" here links "tomorrow" to "Wednesday" (a state of being).
- It's not showing action; it's stating identity → Linking verb
- ✔ Linking ✔️
---
- "smells" – Here, "smells" describes the sensory quality (taste/smell), not an action.
- It connects the subject ("soup") to its description ("delicious").
- So, even though "smell" can be an action, here it's linking.
- ✔ Linking ✔️
---
- "grows" – This refers to the process of growing, which is physical development.
- It indicates an ongoing action → Action verb
- ✔ Action ✔️
---
- "prove" – This means to show or demonstrate something.
- It’s a mental action → Action verb
- ✔ Action ✔️
---
- "looks" – Describes how Joseph appears (state of being).
- "Tired" is a condition, not an action.
- So "looks" is linking the subject to a description → Linking verb
- ✔ Linking ✔️
---
- "feel" – Here, it expresses an emotion (happiness).
- It links the subject ("I") to the emotional state ("happy").
- So it's linking, not action.
- ✔ Linking ✔️
---
- "remain" – Means to stay in place.
- It describes a state of being (staying), not movement.
- "Remain" is a linking verb (like "stay", "be").
- ✔ Linking ✔️
---
- "cried" – Emotional expression, a vocal action → Action verb
- "fell" – Physical action of dropping → Action verb
- Both are actions, so:
- ✔ Action ✔️
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| Sentence | Underlined Verb | Type |
|--------|------------------|------------|
| 1 | looks | Action |
| 2 | felt | Action |
| 3 | will be | Linking |
| 4 | smells | Linking |
| 5 | grows | Action |
| 6 | prove | Action |
| 7 | looks | Linking |
| 8 | feel | Linking |
| 9 | remain | Linking |
| 10 | cried / fell | Action |
> Note: In sentence 10, both underlined verbs are action verbs. But since only one is underlined per sentence, and “cried” is the one mentioned, we mark Action.
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1. Linking [ ] Action [✔]
2. Linking [ ] Action [✔]
3. Linking [✔] Action [ ]
4. Linking [✔] Action [ ]
5. Linking [ ] Action [✔]
6. Linking [ ] Action [✔]
7. Linking [✔] Action [ ]
8. Linking [✔] Action [ ]
9. Linking [✔] Action [ ]
10. Linking [ ] Action [✔]
---
✔ Summary Tip:
- If the verb tells what someone/something does, it’s action.
- If it describes a state or links to a noun/adjective, it’s linking.
Let me know if you'd like a printable version!
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🔍 Definitions:
- Action Verb: Shows physical or mental action (e.g., run, think, eat).
- Linking Verb: Connects the subject to a subject complement (often describing a state of being). Common linking verbs include: *be, become, seem, appear, look, feel, smell, taste, sound, grow, remain* — but context matters!
Now let’s go through each sentence:
---
1. My father looks at the newspaper every morning.
- "looks" – This describes the action of looking at something.
- It shows what he is doing → Action verb
- ✔ Action ✔️
---
2. Mrs. Taylor felt the different fabrics before she decided which one to buy.
- "felt" – She physically touched the fabrics.
- This is a physical action → Action verb
- ✔ Action ✔️
---
3. Tomorrow will be Wednesday.
- "will be" – "Be" here links "tomorrow" to "Wednesday" (a state of being).
- It's not showing action; it's stating identity → Linking verb
- ✔ Linking ✔️
---
4. That soup smells delicious!
- "smells" – Here, "smells" describes the sensory quality (taste/smell), not an action.
- It connects the subject ("soup") to its description ("delicious").
- So, even though "smell" can be an action, here it's linking.
- ✔ Linking ✔️
---
5. The grass grows very fast during the summer because of the rain.
- "grows" – This refers to the process of growing, which is physical development.
- It indicates an ongoing action → Action verb
- ✔ Action ✔️
---
6. Can you prove that Lauren was the one who planned the surprise party?
- "prove" – This means to show or demonstrate something.
- It’s a mental action → Action verb
- ✔ Action ✔️
---
7. Joseph looks tired today.
- "looks" – Describes how Joseph appears (state of being).
- "Tired" is a condition, not an action.
- So "looks" is linking the subject to a description → Linking verb
- ✔ Linking ✔️
---
8. I always feel happy when I am at the zoo.
- "feel" – Here, it expresses an emotion (happiness).
- It links the subject ("I") to the emotional state ("happy").
- So it's linking, not action.
- ✔ Linking ✔️
---
9. Please remain in your seat until the train has come to a complete stop.
- "remain" – Means to stay in place.
- It describes a state of being (staying), not movement.
- "Remain" is a linking verb (like "stay", "be").
- ✔ Linking ✔️
---
10. The boy cried when he fell down in the park.
- "cried" – Emotional expression, a vocal action → Action verb
- "fell" – Physical action of dropping → Action verb
- Both are actions, so:
- ✔ Action ✔️
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✔ Final Answers:
| Sentence | Underlined Verb | Type |
|--------|------------------|------------|
| 1 | looks | Action |
| 2 | felt | Action |
| 3 | will be | Linking |
| 4 | smells | Linking |
| 5 | grows | Action |
| 6 | prove | Action |
| 7 | looks | Linking |
| 8 | feel | Linking |
| 9 | remain | Linking |
| 10 | cried / fell | Action |
> Note: In sentence 10, both underlined verbs are action verbs. But since only one is underlined per sentence, and “cried” is the one mentioned, we mark Action.
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✔ Completed Worksheet (Answers):
1. Linking [ ] Action [✔]
2. Linking [ ] Action [✔]
3. Linking [✔] Action [ ]
4. Linking [✔] Action [ ]
5. Linking [ ] Action [✔]
6. Linking [ ] Action [✔]
7. Linking [✔] Action [ ]
8. Linking [✔] Action [ ]
9. Linking [✔] Action [ ]
10. Linking [ ] Action [✔]
---
✔ Summary Tip:
- If the verb tells what someone/something does, it’s action.
- If it describes a state or links to a noun/adjective, it’s linking.
Let me know if you'd like a printable version!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of action verbs worksheet 5th grade.