Action verb and state of being worksheet - Free Printable

Let's solve this grammar exercise step by step. The task is to:

- Circle the being verb (also called a linking verb or auxiliary verb) in each sentence.
- Underline the main verb (the action verb).

🔹 What are "being verbs"?

Being verbs describe a state of being or existence. The 8 common forms are:
- am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being

These often help form continuous tenses or link the subject to a description.

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Now let’s go through each sentence:

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1. The sun is shining brightly.
- Being verb: is → ✔ Circle "is"
- Main verb: shining → ✔ Underline "shining"

> *Explanation:* "is" is a helping (being) verb; "shining" is the main action.

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2. The flowers are blooming in the garden.
- Being verb: are → ✔ Circle "are"
- Main verb: blooming → ✔ Underline "blooming"

> *Explanation:* "are" helps form present continuous tense; "blooming" is the main action.

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3. The children were playing in the park.
- Being verb: were → ✔ Circle "were"
- Main verb: playing → ✔ Underline "playing"

> *Explanation:* "were" is past tense of "to be"; "playing" is the main action.

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4. The cat is sleeping on the bed.
- Being verb: is → ✔ Circle "is"
- Main verb: sleeping → ✔ Underline "sleeping"

> *Explanation:* "is" helps show ongoing action; "sleeping" is the main verb.

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5. The stars were shining in the sky.
- Being verb: were → ✔ Circle "were"
- Main verb: shining → ✔ Underline "shining"

> *Explanation:* Past continuous tense — "were" + "shining".

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6. I am trying to fall asleep.
- Being verb: am → ✔ Circle "am"
- Main verb: trying → ✔ Underline "trying"

> *Explanation:* "am" is part of the present continuous; "trying" is the main action.

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7. The teachers are grading papers.
- Being verb: are → ✔ Circle "are"
- Main verb: grading → ✔ Underline "grading"

> *Explanation:* Present continuous tense — "are" + "grading".

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8. The wind was blowing gently.
- Being verb: was → ✔ Circle "was"
- Main verb: blowing → ✔ Underline "blowing"

> *Explanation:* Past continuous tense — "was" + "blowing".

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9. The flowers were blooming in the fields.
- Being verb: were → ✔ Circle "were"
- Main verb: blooming → ✔ Underline "blooming"

> *Explanation:* Same as #2 and #5 — past continuous tense.

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10. They will be studying for the test.
- Being verb: be → ✔ Circle "be"
- Main verb: studying → ✔ Underline "studying"

> *Explanation:* Future continuous tense — "will be" + "studying". Here, "be" is the being verb.

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✔ Final Answer Summary:

1. The sun is shining brightly.
→ Circle: is, Underline: shining

2. The flowers are blooming in the garden.
→ Circle: are, Underline: blooming

3. The children were playing in the park.
→ Circle: were, Underline: playing

4. The cat is sleeping on the bed.
→ Circle: is, Underline: sleeping

5. The stars were shining in the sky.
→ Circle: were, Underline: shining

6. I am trying to fall asleep.
→ Circle: am, Underline: trying

7. The teachers are grading papers.
→ Circle: are, Underline: grading

8. The wind was blowing gently.
→ Circle: was, Underline: blowing

9. The flowers were blooming in the fields.
→ Circle: were, Underline: blooming

10. They will be studying for the test.
→ Circle: be, Underline: studying

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📝 Key Takeaway:

Being verbs (like *is, are, was, were, be*) are often used with main verbs in progressive (continuous) tenses to describe actions happening over time. In these sentences, the being verb is always part of the helping verb phrase, while the main verb is the actual action (usually ending in -ing).