Grade 3 Grammar Topic 14: Helping Verbs Worksheets - Lets Share ... - Free Printable

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Understanding Linking Verbs

Linking verbs do not show action. Instead, they connect the subject to a subject complement (like a noun or adjective that describes the subject). Common linking verbs include:
- Forms of be: is, am, are, was, were, been, being
- Become, seem, appear, look, feel, sound, taste, smell, remain
- Some modal verbs: can, may, might, shall, will, when used in a way that links rather than expresses ability or possibility

But note: Modal verbs like "can," "may," "might," "shall" are not always linking verbs — they are usually helping verbs (auxiliary verbs) that express possibility, permission, or ability. They become linking verbs only when they link the subject to a description (e.g., "She can be kind").

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Now, let’s go through each sentence and identify the linking verb(s). We underline them as instructed.

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1. The dog was barking loudly last night.
- "was" is a form of *be*, but it's part of the past continuous tense ("was barking") → action verb.
✘ Not a linking verb.

2. Jane can throw the ball over the fence.
- "can" is a modal verb expressing ability → helps the action verb "throw".
✘ Not a linking verb.

3. Madeline is lifting the box off the ground.
- "is" + "lifting" = present continuous → "is" is an auxiliary verb for the action verb "lifting".
✘ Not a linking verb.

4. The cardboard was bent.
- "was" is a form of *be* and connects the subject ("cardboard") to the state "bent" (adjective describing it).
✔ "was" is a linking verb here.
✔️ Underline: was

5. Mary can balance on her skateboard.
- "can" is a modal verb showing ability → helps the action verb "balance".
✘ Not a linking verb.

6. Mr. Johnson might ask us to stay after school.
- "might" is a modal verb expressing possibility → helps the action verb "ask".
✘ Not a linking verb.

7. The catcher can catch his fastball.
- "can" + "catch" → modal + action verb.
✘ Not a linking verb.

8. I shall cut my hair tomorrow.
- "shall" is a modal verb expressing future intention → helps "cut".
✘ Not a linking verb.

9. The television is flickering often.
- "is" + "flickering" → present continuous tense → "is" is auxiliary for the action verb "flickering".
✘ Not a linking verb.

10. I am thinking about you often.
- "am" + "thinking" → present continuous → "am" is auxiliary.
✘ Not a linking verb.

11. She might go camping with us!
- "might" + "go" → modal + action verb.
✘ Not a linking verb.

12. I can swim really fast.
- "can" + "swim" → modal + action verb.
✘ Not a linking verb.

13. My dog is running across the field.
- "is" + "running" → present continuous → "is" is auxiliary.
✘ Not a linking verb.

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✔ Final Answer:

Only one sentence has a linking verb:

> 4. The cardboard was bent.
> ➤ Underline: was

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🟩 Explanation:

In sentence 4, "was" links the subject "the cardboard" to the complement "bent", which describes its state. It does not describe an action — instead, it shows a condition or state of being.

All other sentences use modal verbs (can, might, shall) or forms of be as auxiliary verbs in progressive tenses (e.g., "was barking", "is lifting"), so they are not linking verbs.

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✔ Correct Answer:

Underline only:
4. The cardboard was bent. → was is the linking verb.

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