Let’s go through each sentence one by one. We need to decide if the underlined verb is a
linking verb (shows state of being) or an
action verb (shows something someone or something does).
Remember:
- Linking verbs: am, is, are, was, were, be, been — they connect the subject to more info about it.
- Action verbs: run, jump, eat, paint, blow, end, etc. — they show movement or doing something.
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1. “The strong winds
blew down the old tree.”
→ “Blew” means the wind did something — it pushed the tree over. That’s action.
✔ Action verb
2. “Aaron
is an avid reader.”
→ “Is” connects Aaron to what he is — a reader. No action happening.
✔ Linking verb
3. “Jessica's friends
were very polite.”
→ “Were” describes how her friends were — their state. Not doing anything.
✔ Linking verb
4. “The boxes
are in the back of my truck.”
→ “Are” tells us where the boxes are located — their state/place.
✔ Linking verb
5. “The movie
ended very late.”
→ “Ended” means the movie finished — that’s something that happened. Action!
✔ Action verb
6. “There will
be snow on the ground tomorrow.”
→ “Be” here shows existence — snow will exist. It’s not doing anything; it just *is*.
✔ Linking verb
7. “Lisa
paints pictures of animals.”
→ “Paints” = she is creating art. That’s an action.
✔ Action verb
8. “Robert
ate the crust of the pizza first.”
→ “Ate” = he consumed food. Definitely an action.
✔ Action verb
9. “I
am one of the tallest kids in school.”
→ “Am” connects “I” to who I am — tallest kid. State of being.
✔ Linking verb
10. “Betty
is afraid of the dark.”
→ “Is” describes Betty’s feeling — her emotional state. Not an action.
✔ Linking verb
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Final Answer:
1. action
2. linking
3. linking
4. linking
5. action
6. linking
7. action
8. action
9. linking
10. linking
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of action verbs worksheet 5th grade.