Identifying Verb Worksheets | Free Printables - Free Printable

Let's solve the task step by step.

Task:

Underline the verbs in each sentence.

We need to identify and underline the verbs in each sentence. Verbs are action words or words that show a state of being (like *was*, *is*, *were*, etc.).

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Here’s the analysis for each sentence:

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1. They followed the instructions of their guide and arrived at their destination.

- followed – past tense of "follow", an action verb
- arrived – past tense of "arrive", an action verb

✔ Verbs: followed, arrived

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2. The soccer team were tired from an intense game of running and kicking goals.

- were – linking verb (a form of "to be") showing state of being
- running – present participle, part of the gerund phrase "running and kicking" — but not the main verb
- kicking – same as above

But note: “were” is the only main verb here. The others are participles used in a noun phrase ("game of running and kicking").

✔ Verb: were

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3. It was a hot day so they went to the beach to go swimming.

- was – linking verb (state of being)
- went – past tense of "go", action verb
- go – base verb in infinitive ("to go"), part of purpose clause

Only was and went are main verbs. "Go" is not a finite verb here; it's part of an infinitive phrase.

✔ Verbs: was, went

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4. Every day they packed their lunch and filled up their drink bottle for school.

- packed – past tense of "pack", action verb
- filled – past tense of "fill", action verb

✔ Verbs: packed, filled

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5. The campers could not see them, but they heard lots of bugs at night.

- could – modal auxiliary verb
- see – main verb after modal
- heard – past tense of "hear", action verb

Note: "could see" is a verb phrase (modal + main verb), so both count as verbs.

✔ Verbs: could, see, heard

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6. John had read the Avengers comics and watched many of the movies also.

- had – auxiliary verb (past perfect tense)
- read – past participle of "read"
- watched – past tense of "watch"

So: "had read" = past perfect tense → had, read
"watched" = simple past

✔ Verbs: had, read, watched

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7. Jamie was dreaming that she was flying.

- was – auxiliary verb (past continuous)
- dreaming – present participle, part of "was dreaming"
- was – again, auxiliary verb
- flying – present participle

So: "was dreaming" → was, dreaming
"was flying" → was, flying

✔ Verbs: was, dreaming, was, flying

(Note: Both "was" instances are verbs.)

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8. They decided to build a fort and make it out of blankets.

- decided – past tense of "decide", action verb
- build – infinitive verb (part of "to build")
- make – infinitive verb (part of "to make")

Only decided is a finite verb. "Build" and "make" are infinitives, not main verbs in this sentence.

✔ Verb: decided

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9. Everyone enjoyed pretending they were in the woods.

- enjoyed – past tense of "enjoy", action verb
- pretending – present participle, part of gerund phrase
- were – linking verb (state of being)

"Enjoyed" is the main verb. "Were" is a verb in the subordinate clause.

✔ Verbs: enjoyed, were

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10. The ladder fell over but fortunately no-one was harmed.

- fell – past tense of "fall", action verb
- was – linking verb (passive voice)
- harmed – past participle, part of passive construction

"Was harmed" = passive verb phrase → was, harmed

✔ Verbs: fell, was, harmed

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Final Answer (with underlined verbs):

1. They followed the instructions of their guide and arrived at their destination.
2. The soccer team were tired from an intense game of running and kicking goals.
3. It was a hot day so they went to the beach to go swimming.
4. Every day they packed their lunch and filled up their drink bottle for school.
5. The campers could not see them, but they heard lots of bugs at night.
6. John had read the Avengers comics and watched many of the movies also.
7. Jamie was dreaming that she was flying.
8. They decided to build a fort and make it out of blankets.
9. Everyone enjoyed pretending they were in the woods.
10. The ladder fell over but fortunately no-one was harmed.

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✔ All verbs have been correctly identified and underlined.