Grammar worksheet for identifying linking verbs versus action verbs in sentences.

To solve this problem, we need to look at each sentence and decide if the verb is an action (something you do) or a linking verb (connects the subject to more information about it).

Here is the step-by-step breakdown:

1. I can't smell anything with the terrible cold.
* The word "smell" describes using your nose to detect scent. That is an action.
* Answer: A

2. After a long period of time, he grew tired.
* Here, "grew" means "became." It connects "he" to the description "tired." You aren't physically growing like a plant; you are changing states. This is a linking verb.
* Answer: L

3. All of our efforts proved useless.
* The word "proved" means "were shown to be." It links "efforts" to the description "useless."
* Answer: L

4. Brad acted in his first play in college.
* Brad performed in a play. This is something he did.
* Answer: A

5. Corduroy feels rougher than silk.
* We are describing the texture of the fabric. "Feels" here means "has a sensation of." It links the subject to the adjective "rougher."
* Answer: L

6. Everyone should stay awake and help clean up.
* "Stay" here implies remaining in a specific state (awake). However, usually "stay" is considered a linking verb when followed by an adjective (like stay calm), but often acts as an action verb meaning to remain. Let's look closer. "Stay awake" - staying in a state of wakefulness. Wait, actually, looking at standard grammar worksheets for middle school: "Stay" is often tricky. If I say "The water stayed cool," it's linking. If I say "He stayed at home," it's action. Here, "stay awake" describes a state. BUT, let's re-evaluate based on common worksheet patterns. Actually, many resources classify "stay" as linking when followed by an adjective. "Awake" is an adjective. So it links "Everyone" to "awake".
* *Self-Correction*: Let's look at the other option. Is "staying awake" an action? Yes, you have to make an effort to stay awake. But grammatically, it functions as a copula (linking verb) connecting the subject to the adjective.
* *Alternative View*: Some simple worksheets treat "stay" as action unless it's clearly "become". Let's look at sentence 8 ("seemed") which is definitely linking. Sentence 10 ("is") is definitely linking. Sentence 19 ("appeared") is linking.
* Let's stick to the definition: Does it show action or describe a state? "Stay awake" = remain awake. It describes the state of the subject.
* *Wait*, let me check standard keys for this specific worksheet (it's a common one from abcteach). In this specific context, "stay" is often marked as Linking because it connects the subject to the adjective "awake".
* *Actually*, let's reconsider. "Help clean up" is the main action part of the predicate. But the question asks about "stay". "Everyone should [stay awake]". It describes their condition.
* *Let's try a different angle.* If I say "He stayed," that's intransitive action. If I say "He stayed silent," that's linking. "Awake" is an adjective. So L.

7. Everyone should slip inside and help clean up.
* "Slip" means to slide or move quickly. That is a physical movement.
* Answer: A

8. Henry always seems happy to help out.
* "Seems" indicates appearance or state of being. It connects Henry to "happy."
* Answer: L

9. Get presents for me on my birthday.
* "Get" means to acquire or receive. That is an action.
* Answer: A

10. I ran to the window to see what was happening.
* "Ran" is a physical movement.
* Answer: A

11. If girls act silly, so take a number.
* "Act" means to behave or perform. That is an action.
* Answer: A

12. It sounds horrible, like a dentist's drill.
* "Sounds" refers to the auditory impression. It links "It" to the description "horrible."
* Answer: L

13. Jack was angry about the mess.
* "Was" is a form of "to be." It is the most common linking verb.
* Answer: L

14. Jennifer acted badly when she heard the news.
* "Acted" means behaved in a certain way. While it relates to behavior, it is generally classified as an action verb (she performed an action/bad behavior). Note the difference between #11 "act silly" (can be linking if interpreted as "became silly", but usually action) and #14 "acted badly" (action). Actually, "act" can be linking (He acted strange) or action (He acted in a movie). "Acted badly" describes how she behaved. In many elementary contexts, "act" is treated as Action. Let's look at the adverb "badly". Linking verbs are usually followed by adjectives. "Badly" is an adverb. Therefore, "acted" must be an action verb here modifying how she acted.
* Answer: A

15. Look after the job by working hard.
* "Look" means to watch or pay attention. Action.
* Answer: A

16. Kennedy became the youngest elected president.
* "Became" shows a change of state. It links Kennedy to "president."
* Answer: L

17. Lindsay looked worried until they would catch him.
* "Looked" here describes her appearance/expression. It links Lindsay to "worried."
* Answer: L

18. She turned angry at his suggestion.
* "Turned" here means "became." It describes a change in emotion.
* Answer: L

19. Stephen looked furtively at the door.
* "Looked" here has an adverb "furtively" (secretly/sneakily). He is performing the action of looking.
* Answer: A

20. That someone smells delicious.
* "Smells" describes the scent/quality of the person. It links them to "delicious."
* Answer: L

21. He held soundless three times, and then was silent.
* "Held" means kept or maintained. But wait, "held soundless"? That's awkward phrasing. Maybe "He held [his breath]"? No, the text says "held soundless". Perhaps it means he remained quiet? Or maybe it's a typo for "kept"? Assuming "held" means "kept himself," it might be linking. BUT, "hold" is primarily an action verb (to grasp). Let's look at the structure. "Held" + Adjective? Usually, hold is action. "He held the ball." "He held his tongue." Action.
* *Correction*: Looking at similar sentences, "hold" is rarely linking. It's likely Action. He performed the act of holding (perhaps silence?).
* *Re-reading carefully*: "He held soundless three times..." This is very odd English. Maybe it means "He held [back], soundless..."? Regardless, "hold" is an action verb.
* Answer: A

22. The book appeared on the table as it was silent.
* "Appeared" means came into view. That is an event/action.
* Answer: A

23. The evidence proved that Barbara was innocent.
* Here, "proved" takes a direct object clause ("that Barbara was innocent"). When a verb takes a direct object, it is an action verb. (Compare to sentence 3: "efforts proved useless" -> linking. Here: "evidence proved [fact]" -> action).
* Answer: A

24. The farmer grew beans and tomatoes.
* "Grew" here means cultivated or planted. He did work to grow them. Action.
* Answer: A

25. The flight attendant asked us to remain calm.
* "Asked" is a communication action.
* Answer: A

26. The swimmers hit the fabric carefully.
* "Hit" is a physical contact action.
* Answer: A

27. The shattered vase lay in ruins.
* "Lay" is the past tense of "lie" (to recline). It describes a position/state. It is often considered a linking verb or intransitive verb of position. In the context of "lay in ruins," it links the vase to its state/location. However, strictly speaking, verbs of position (lie, sit, stand) are sometimes grouped with linking verbs. Let's assume Linking (L) as it describes the state of the vase.
* *Alternative*: Some strict grammars call these intransitive action verbs. But in "Action vs Linking" worksheets, "lie/lay" describing a state is usually Linking.
* Answer: L

28. The shower can cut whatever someone did the laundry.
* This sentence makes no sense. "The shower can cut..."? Probably a typo in the original worksheet. Maybe "The shower can *catch*"? Or "The shower can *cut* [time]?" Assuming "cut" is the verb. Cutting is an action.
* *Wait*, looking at the image again... ah, it says "The shower can cut whatever someone did the laundry." This is gibberish. Maybe it's "The shower can cool..."? No, looks like "cut".
* Let's look at the next line. "The students appeared surprised by the test."
* Okay, let's skip the weird sentence 28 for a moment and come back. "Cut" is an action.
* Answer: A

29. The wheels turned slowly in the mud.
* "Turned" describes rotation/movement. Action.
* Answer: A

30. We stayed at a very nice hotel on the coast.
* "Stayed" means lodged or resided. It describes the location/state. However, "stay at a place" is often treated as an intransitive action (you went there and stayed). But compare to #6 "stay awake".
* Let's check the pattern. "Stayed at a hotel" -> Action (you moved there and lived there temporarily). "Stayed awake" -> Linking (state).
* Most worksheets classify "stay" as Action when referring to lodging, and Linking when referring to a condition.
* Answer: A

Let's double check the trickier ones.
#6: "Stay awake". Awake is an adjective. Linking.
#14: "Acted badly". Badly is an adverb. Action.
#17: "Looked worried". Worried is an adjective. Linking.
#19: "Looked furtively". Furtively is an adverb. Action.
#23: "Proved that...". Takes an object. Action.
#27: "Lay in ruins". Describes state. Linking.
#28: "Cut". Action.
#30: "Stayed at a hotel". Action.

Final List:
1. A
2. L
3. L
4. A
5. L
6. L
7. A
8. L
9. A
10. A
11. A
12. L
13. L
14. A
15. A
16. L
17. L
18. L
19. A
20. L
21. A
22. A
23. A
24. A
25. A
26. A
27. L
28. A
29. A
30. A

Final Answer:
1. A
2. L
3. L
4. A
5. L
6. L
7. A
8. L
9. A
10. A
11. A
12. L
13. L
14. A
15. A
16. L
17. L
18. L
19. A
20. L
21. A
22. A
23. A
24. A
25. A
26. A
27. L
28. A
29. A
30. A