Here’s the solution to the “Linking vs Action Verbs” worksheet, with explanations for each sentence:
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1. The strong winds *blew* down the old tree.
✔ Action verb
*Explanation:* “Blew” describes a physical action — the wind actively caused the tree to fall. It shows movement or doing something.
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2. Aaron *is* an avid reader.
✔ Linking verb
*Explanation:* “Is” connects the subject “Aaron” to the predicate “an avid reader,” describing his state of being (what he is like). No action is performed.
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3. Jessica’s friends *were* very polite.
✔ Linking verb
*Explanation:* “Were” links “friends” to the description “very polite.” It describes their state or condition, not an action they performed.
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4. The boxes *are* in the back of my truck.
✔ Linking verb
*Explanation:* “Are” connects “boxes” to their location (“in the back of my truck”). It describes where they are — a state of being, not an action.
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5. The movie *ended* very late.
✔ Action verb
*Explanation:* “Ended” describes what the movie did — it concluded or finished. This is an action (the event came to a close).
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6. There will *be* snow on the ground tomorrow.
✔ Linking verb
*Explanation:* “Be” (in “will be”) links the subject “snow” to its existence/location (“on the ground”). It describes a state — that snow will exist there — not an action.
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7. Lisa *paints* pictures of animals.
✔ Action verb
*Explanation:* “Paints” is a physical activity — Lisa performs the action of painting. Clearly an action verb.
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8. Robert *ate* the crust of the pizza first.
✔ Action verb
*Explanation:* “Ate” is a clear physical action — Robert consumed food. Action verb.
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9. I *am* one of the tallest kids in school.
✔ Linking verb
*Explanation:* “Am” connects “I” to the description “one of the tallest kids.” It tells us about the speaker’s identity or state — not an action they’re performing.
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10. Betty *is* afraid of the dark.
✔ Linking verb
*Explanation:* “Is” links “Betty” to her emotional state — “afraid of the dark.” It describes how she feels, which is a state of being.
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✔ Final Answers:
1. Action verb
2. Linking verb
3. Linking verb
4. Linking verb
5. Action verb
6. Linking verb
7. Action verb
8. Action verb
9. Linking verb
10. Linking verb
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📌
Quick Tip:
To tell them apart:
→ If the verb can be replaced with “is/am/are/was/were” and the sentence still makes sense →
linking verb.
→ If the verb shows something being done →
action verb.
Example: “She *is* happy” → linking. “She *runs* fast” → action.
Hope this helps! 🎯
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of linking verbs worksheet 5th grade.
