Identifying Verbs worksheet for students to practice underlining action verbs in sentences.

Here is the completed worksheet with explanations for each sentence:

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Identifying Verbs

DIRECTIONS: Underline the verb in each sentence. If it is an action verb, write action on the line.

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1. Marcus runs every afternoon.
→ action
*Explanation:* “Runs” describes a physical activity Marcus performs — it’s an action verb.*

2. I am sure about those boys.
→ *(blank)*
*Explanation:* “Am” is a form of the verb “to be.” It links the subject to a description (“sure”) — this is a linking verb, not an action verb.*

3. I use dental floss after I brush.
→ action (for both verbs)
*Explanation:* Both “use” and “brush” describe physical actions you perform — both are action verbs. You should underline both and write “action” once on the line.*

4. The squirrels ran around the yard playfully.
→ action
*Explanation:* “Ran” describes movement — a clear physical action.*

5. Hilda answered her phone with a hardy, “Yo!”
→ action
*Explanation:* “Answered” is a physical action — picking up or responding to the phone.*

6. The teacher lost her keys.
→ action
*Explanation:* “Lost” implies an action — misplacing or failing to keep track of something. While sometimes debated, in elementary grammar, “lost” is typically treated as an action verb because it results from doing something (e.g., misplacing).*

7. My mother wrote a very successful book.
→ action
*Explanation:* “Wrote” is a clear mental/physical action — creating text.*

8. She is determined about winning this contest.
→ *(blank)*
*Explanation:* “Is” is a linking verb connecting “she” to the state of being “determined.” No physical or mental action is described here — it’s a state of being.*

9. George is so much like his father.
→ *(blank)*
*Explanation:* “Is” links George to a description (“like his father”) — it’s a linking verb.*

10. I drink Pellegrino instead of tap water.
→ action
*Explanation:* “Drink” is a physical action — consuming liquid.*

11. Mrs. Johnson makes lists to help her remember.
→ action
*Explanation:* “Makes” describes the act of creating or preparing lists — an action verb.*

12. That face cream was delightful.
→ *(blank)*
*Explanation:* “Was” links “face cream” to the adjective “delightful” — it’s a linking verb describing a state, not an action.*

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✔ Final Answer Summary:

1. runs → action
2. am → *(leave blank)*
3. use, brush → action
4. ran → action
5. answered → action
6. lost → action
7. wrote → action
8. is → *(leave blank)*
9. is → *(leave blank)*
10. drink → action
11. makes → action
12. was → *(leave blank)*

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📌 Note for Teachers/Students: In early grades, "lost" and similar past tense verbs (like “found,” “broke,” etc.) are often considered action verbs because they imply something happened as a result of an action. Strictly speaking, some linguists classify them differently, but for this level, “action” is appropriate.

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