Printable worksheet for identifying action verbs in sentences.

Let’s go through each sentence one by one and find the action verb — that’s the word (or words) that tell what someone or something is *doing*.

Remember: An action verb shows movement, doing, or happening. It can be just one word like “ran” or more than one like “had to fix”.

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1. My sister turned in her homework late.
→ What did she do? She *turned in* her homework.
✔ Action verb: turned in

2. I had to fix my bike before I rode it.
→ Two actions here: “had to fix” and “rode”. Both are things being done.
✔ Action verbs: had to fix, rode

3. I held my mother’s hand when I walked into the amusement park.
→ Two actions: “held” and “walked”.
✔ Action verbs: held, walked

4. My younger brother slept early the night before his test.
→ He *slept*. That’s the action.
✔ Action verb: slept

5. The teacher guided us through the remaining problems.
→ The teacher *guided* us.
✔ Action verb: guided

6. My friend is always the first to reply to my invitation request.
→ Friend *reply* — but wait! “is” is a helping verb, and “to reply” is part of an infinitive. But the main action is “reply”. Actually, “is” is not an action verb — it’s a state of being. So only “reply” counts as the action verb here.
Wait — let’s think again. In this sentence, “is” is linking, not acting. The real action is “reply”. But note: “to reply” is not conjugated — it’s an infinitive. However, in context, we’re looking for the verb that names the action performed. Since “friend” is the subject, and “reply” is what they do — yes, “reply” is the action verb.
But actually — look at the structure: “the first to reply” — “reply” is still the action. Let’s keep it simple:
✔ Action verb: reply

7. My dad had to return the movie he rented for us.
→ Dad *had to return* and also *rented*. Two actions.
✔ Action verbs: had to return, rented

8. Make sure to return your roller skates before you go home.
→ This is a command. “Make” is the action verb (imperative). Also, “return” and “go” are actions too.
So: “Make”, “return”, “go” — all are action verbs.
✔ Action verbs: Make, return, go

9. I made sure to arrive on time to my first practice.
→ “Made” is the main action. “Arrive” is also an action, but it’s in infinitive form after “to”. Still, both are actions.
✔ Action verbs: made, arrive

10. My dad built me a go-cart for my birthday.
→ Dad *built* something.
✔ Action verb: built

11. I didn’t want to break any bones if I fell off my skateboard.
→ “Didn’t want” — “want” is the action (even with “didn’t”). Also, “break” and “fell” are actions.
Note: “didn’t” is a helper + negation, so “want” is the main verb. “Break” and “fell” are also actions.
✔ Action verbs: want, break, fell

12. The health teacher monitored us as we ran.
→ Teacher *monitored*, and “we” *ran*.
✔ Action verbs: monitored, ran

13. My friend wanted to trade his baseball card for mine.
→ Friend *wanted* and *trade* (infinitive, but still an action).
✔ Action verbs: wanted, trade

14. My teacher had to order new headphones for the class.
→ Teacher *had to order*.
✔ Action verb: had to order

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Now, let’s list them clearly for each number:

1. turned in
2. had to fix, rode
3. held, walked
4. slept
5. guided
6. reply
7. had to return, rented
8. Make, return, go
9. made, arrive
10. built
11. want, break, fell
12. monitored, ran
13. wanted, trade
14. had to order

Final Answer:
1. turned in
2. had to fix, rode
3. held, walked
4. slept
5. guided
6. reply
7. had to return, rented
8. Make, return, go
9. made, arrive
10. built
11. want, break, fell
12. monitored, ran
13. wanted, trade
14. had to order