Find the action verb or verbs in each sentence. It may contain a helping verb.
My sister turned in her homework late.
turned
I had to fix my bike before I rode it.
rode
I held my mother’s hand when I walked
into the amusement park.
held…walked
My younger brother slept early the night
before his test.
slept
The teacher guided us through the
remaining problems.
guided
My friend is always the first to reply to my
invitation request.
reply (infinitive)
My dad had to return the movie he rented
for us.
return (infinitive)…rented
Make sure to return your roller skates
before you go home.
return (infinitive)… go
I made sure to arrive on time to my first
practice.
made…arrive (infinitive)
My dad built me a go-cart for my birthday.
built
I didn’t want to break any bones if I fell off
my skateboard.
did want…break (infinitive)…fell
The health teacher monitored us as we ran.
monitored…ran
My friend wanted to trade his baseball card
for mine.
wanted…trade (infinitive)
My teacher had to order new headphones
for the class.
order (infinitive)
Find the action verb or verbs in each sentence.
The students displayed their work in the
auditorium.
displayed
I discovered the cure to the disease.
discovered
The teacher edited her student’s work.
edited
The park was established a decade ago.
was established
The auditor estimated the future costs.
estimated
My friend entertained his guests.
entertained
I exchanged numbers with my new friend.
exchanged
The postman delivered the mail.
delivered
Many people enlisted in the army.
enlisted
The worker constructed a new house.
constructed
My mom contacted my school about my
whereabouts.
contacted
The leader devised a plan.
devised
The doctor examined my foot.
examined
The man conducted the orchestra.
conducted
Find the action verb in each sentence.
Jon collected gold, red, and yellow leaves.
collected
He carefully placed them in his backpack.
placed
I wondered why.
wondered
Later, he told me about his plan.
told
He knew of a market for these beautiful
leaves.
knew
A local craft shop buys the leaves for craft
classes.
buys
For example, the class on greeting cards
uses colorful leaves regularly.
uses
The art classes always want leaves, too.
want
Artists incorporate the foliage into
collages.
incorporate
People enjoy the “back to nature: tone of
this artwork.
enjoy
Find the action verb in each sentence. Then identify if it is a PHYSICAL ACTION or a
MENTAL ACTION.
I remember my great-grandmother’s recipe
for gumbo.
remember – mental action
The shrimp, vegetables, and spices simmer
together.
simmer – physical action
I always drop a little hot pepper sauce into
the pot.
drop - physical action
Meanwhile, white rice steams until tender.
steams - physical action
I prefer this mild rice along with the spicy
gumbo.
prefer - mental action
Find the linking verb in each sentence.
We slowly became suspicious.
became
He seemed to have forgotten the address.
seemed
The onion wings smell appetizing.
smell
The fur feels soft to touch.
feels
This road looks unappealing.
looks
She appears to be sick.
appears
It grows well in sunlight.
grows
The rooms stay empty throughout the rainy
season.
stay
It sounds like you haven’t eaten breakfast.
sounds
This soup tastes very sweet.
tastes
Find the linking verb and the words that are linked by the verb in each sentence.
They had been to the beach on Sunday.
had been – LV
It was good that we left.
was – LV
links it….good
You are late for the movie.
are – LV
links you….late
This dress looks like the perfect outfit for
the party.
looks – LV
links dress….outfit
It was dark.
was – LV
links it….dark
He remained calm though he was scared.
remained – LV
links he….calm
was – LV
links he….scared
The coffee smelled great.
smelled – LV
links coffee….great
This job is done by a professional.
is – LV
links job….done
The taco tastes very spicy.
tastes – LV
links taco….spicy
She proved her worth.
proved – LV
links she….worth
Find the linking verb and the words that are linked by the verb in each sentence.
I am a good student.
am – LV
links I….student
He is very active.
is – LV
links he….active
They are my cousins.
are – LV
links they….cousins
We were at the mall.
were – LV
This is the correct answer.
is – LV
links this….answer
They were late.
were – LV
links they….late
I was the first person in line.
was – LV
links I….person
He is the president of this company.
is – LV
links he….president
We were at the zoo when you called.
were – LV
It was sent only after he signed.
was sent – LV
Find the linking verb in each sentence.
Beth’s clothes are muddy.
are
The large, barking dogs were scary.
were
My socks are in the top dresser drawer.
are
There were five fish in the aquarium.
were
Has the printer been out of ink all week?
Has been
Will you be on time tomorrow?
Will be
That was a delicious pie.
was
Those jackets are too small, Billy.
are
I am the fastest runner on the team.
am
We were the last ones to arrive.
were
Gina and Victor are the quietest kids in the
room.
are
I think the old house is haunted.
is
Find the linking verb and the complement in each sentence.
The students in the class are very restless.
are = LV (think…are what?)
very restless = complement
The teacher was very nervous on the first
day of school.
was = LV (think…was what?)
very nervous = complement
The team was very excited about the big
game coming up on the weekend.
was = LV (think…was what?)
very excited = complement
They are very pleased that the students
were able to culminate on stage.
are = LV (think…are what?)
very pleased = complement
You are a great student because you do all
your homework and respect your teacher.
are = LV (think…are what?)
great student = complement
The good teacher was very polite to her
students during the assembly.
was = LV (think…was what?)
very polite = complement
Those five players are very good friends.
are = LV (think…are what?)
good friends = complement
The outfielder was playing too deep in the
field, so he dropped the fly ball.
was playing = LV (think…was playing
what?)
too deep = complement
He was one of the best players on the team,
so they gave him the MVP trophy.
was = LV (think…was what?)
one = complement
We are the greatest football team to ever
play the game.
are = LV (think…are what?)
greatest football team = complement
Find the linking verb and the two words joined by that verb.
A silkworm is a caterpillar of the silkworm
moth.
is = LV
links - silkworm…caterpillar
Silk is a material from the silkworm.
is = LV
links - silk…material
It is a smooth material.
is = LV
links - it…material
The texture of the fabric is soft.
is = LV
links - texture…soft
China is famous for its silk.
is = LV
links - China…famous
Silk-making is a complicated process.
is = LV
links - silk-making…process
Mulberry leaves are the diet of silkworms.
is = LV
links - leaves…diet
Healthy mulberry trees are important to the
silk industry.
are = LV
links - trees…important
Silkworms are adult spinners 25 days after
hatching.
are = LV
links - silkworms…spinners
Silk is a thread from the silkworm’s body.
is = LV
links - silk…thread
Silk is a substance of the silkworm’s
cocoon.
is = LV
links - silk…substance
The silk of a cocoon is one long unbroken
thread.
is = LV
links - silk…thread
The joining of the threads of several
cocoons is a skill.
is = LV
links - joining…skills
A skein is a coil of the silken threads.
is = LV
links - skein…coil
For hundreds of years, silk was a luxury.
was = LV
links - silk…luxury
Silk was the most beautiful material for
clothing.
was = LV
links - silk…material
Even today, silk is an important fabric.
is = LV
links - silk…fabric
It is a favorite fabric among many women.
is = LV
links - it…fabric
Luxurious silks are sometimes multicolored.
are = LV
links - silks…multi-colored
Find the linking verb and the two words joined by that verb.
Four of the first five presidents were men
from the state of Virginia.
were = LV
links - four…men
Thomas Jefferson was one of them.
were = LV
links - Thomas Jefferson…one
Monticello was the name of his home.
was = LV
links - Monticello…name
It is still a favorite tourist attraction in
Virginia.
is = LV
links - it…attraction
He was the third president of the United
States.
was = LV
links - he…president
He was famous early in our country’s
history.
was = LV
links - he…famous
Jefferson was a true patriot.
was = LV
links - Jefferson…patriot
He was the author of the Declaration of
Independence.
was = LV
links - he…author
Thomas Jefferson was president from 1801
to 1809.
was = LV
links - Thomas Jefferson…president
The United States was a small country
during Jefferson’s term in office.
was = LV
links - United States…country
A very large area of land was a purchase
from France.
was = LV
links - area…purchase
The area was land west of the Mississippi
River.
was = LV
links - area…land
It was land for new states.
was = LV
links - it…land
Thomas Jefferson is famous for the
purchase of the Louisiana Territory.
is = LV
links - Thomas Jefferson…famous
The Louisiana Purchase was important for
the growth of our country.
was = LV
links - Louisiana Purchase…important
Science and music were interests of
Thomas Jefferson.
were = LV
links - science, music…interests
He was also a good architect.
was = LV
links - he…architect
Another interest of his was education.
was = LV
links - interest…education
He was the founder of the University of
Virginia.
was = LV
links - he…founder
Thomas Jefferson was a really great
American.
was = LV
links - Thomas Jefferson…American
Find the linking verb and the two words joined by that verb.
The huge diamond mine is now a museum.. is = LV
links - mine…museum
The computerized voice sounds human to
me.
sounds = LV
links - voice…human
After the storm, the islanders grew nervous
at the sight of all the dark clouds.
grew = LV
links - islanders…nervous
Some of the bristlecone pines trees are very are = LV
old.
links - some…trees
The farm animals looked quite content.
looked = LV
links - animals…content
Find the verb, then identify it as action or linking
Burr became one of the most colorful
characters in U.S. history.
became - linking
Burr came from a well-known Puritan
family.
came - action
At age twenty-one, he was a commanding
officer of an entire regiment.
was – linking
He resigned in 1779 because of ill health.
resigned- action
Later, Burr practiced law.
practiced - action
He almost always looked wealthy and
successful.
looked - linking
Burr and Alexander Hamilton were
longtime enemies.
were - linking
Burr fought a duel with Hamilton.
fought - action
Hamilton died from his wound.
died – action
Burr’s political career was soon over.
was - linking
Which is the verb?
walk…after…book…candy
walk
tastes…dice…finger…easy
tastes
crayon…hair…stays…into
stays
jail…remains…key…door
remains
looks…my…nickel…pail
looks
eat…boat…goat…hole
eat
mouse…pink…needs…oar
needs
is…jar…king…letter
is
art…break…daily…cookie
break
wall…you…smells…zoo
smells
tail…uncle…vine…appears
appears
Find the main verb and the helping verb
Nick will eat spaghetti and meatballs for
dinner tonight.
HV V
will eat
Mallory is walking to the park.
HV V
is walking
The dogs are sleeping on the bed.
HV V
are sleeping
Elizabeth and Cheyenne had gone to the
library.
HV V
had gone
Those quick squirrels have run up the
maple tree.
HV V
have run
The girls were making colorful chalk
drawings on the sidewalk.
HV V
were making
I am going away for the weekend.
HV V
am going
Nelson has built a huge castle in the sand.
HV V
has built
Miranda can swim in the pool after dinner.
HV V
can swim
The car is making an awful noise.
HV V
is making
Find the main verb and the helping verb
I am studying the amazing life of Wilma
Rudolph.
HV V
am studying
My class will write reports about this sports HV V
legend.
will write
We have read an exciting account of her
triumphs.
HV V
have read
Teresa is painting a picture of the famous
runner.
HV V
is painting
Matthew and I are working on a poster
about Wilma’s victories.
HV V
are working
Wilma had overcome serious physical
problems.
HV V
had overcome
Her mother had given her a great deal of
support.
HV V
had given
The people in Wilma’s hometown were
cheering for her.
HV V
were cheering
People will remember Wilma Rudolph’s
accomplishments for many years.
HV V
will remember
Find the main verb and the helping verb
Wilma had weighed only four pounds at
birth.
HV V
had weighed
Others have expected little from her.
HV V
have expected
She is becoming a great athlete.
HV V
is becoming
Not a single problem has stopped her.
HV V
has stopped
People are noticing her skill in basketball.
HV V
are noticing
Wilma will surprise everyone.
HV V
will surprise
They are urging her to run races.
HV V
are urging
The sweat is flying off her face.
HV V
is flying
She has lunged across the finish line.
HV V
has lunged
She is not thinking about her fear or pain.
HV V
is thinking
She was forgetting all her problems.
HV V
was forgetting
Sentence or sentence fragment?
(I believe that…)
(I believe that…) Thought Roseanne and
Steve had missed their flight to Atlanta.
fragment
(I believe that…) Pasta salad is especially
good on a hot day.
sentence
(I believe that…) In the bedroom behind
the ironing board.
fragment
(I believe that…) His latest excuse but
definitely not his most original.
fragment
Please take this gift home to your stepsister
Lorena.
sentence
(I believe that…) I would appreciate some
help with this art project.
sentence
(I believe that…) The space shuttle on the
launching pad.
fragment
(I believe that…) stretching for miles in
every direction.
fragment
(I believe that…) Whenever he goes out
into the bright sunlight.
fragment
(I believe) That was a dazzling display of
fireworks!
sentence
(I believe that…) Because of the loud
noise.
fragment
(I believe that…) After a short while, the
beaver began building a dam.
sentence
(I believe that…) You must have heard
about the mysterious Bermuda Triangle.
sentence
(I believe that…) When she wrote her story
for the local newspaper.
fragment
(I believe that…) Although everyone here
had a good reason.
fragment
(I believe that…) Scientists keep searching
for the answer to the problem.
sentence
(I believe that…) On the other side of the
basketball court and under the scoreboard.
fragment
(I believe that…) Very few people actually
saw what happened.
sentence
(I believe that…) Without the benefit of
modern medicine.
fragment
(I believe that…) The car swerved sharply
to avoid hitting the pedestrian.
sentence
(I believe that…) Mr. Liu, an organic
farmer with a large farm in Texas.
fragment
Sentence or sentence fragment?
(I believe that…)
(I believe that…) Marching down the street
in perfect rows.
fragment
(I believe that…) Their helmets were
topped by tall red plumes.
sentence
(I believe that…) Royal blue uniforms with
gold braid.
fragment
(I believe that…) The drum major’s baton
was keeping the beat.
sentence
Is that one of John Philip Sousa’s marches?
sentence
(I believe that…) The clash of the cymbals
and the beat of the drums.
fragment
(I believe that…) The color guard marched
in front of the band.
sentence
(I believe that…) Then came a float
covered with flowers.
sentence
(I believe that…) People sitting on the
float, waving to the people in the crowd.
fragment
What a surprise that was!
Sentence
Decide if the sentence is Declarative, Interrogative, Imperative, or Exclamatory. Then
add the correct punctuation
This sculptor recycles metal in her work
Declarative; add .
Isn’t that the rim of a bicycle rim
Interrogative; add ?
Try to identify as many items as possible
Imperative; add .
She has transformed junk into animals and
other recognizable forms
Declarative; add .
What a sense of humor she has
Exclamatory; add !
Rewrite each of the following sentences according to the instructions in the parentheses.
Be sure to use correct punctuation in your new sentence.
The colors in the stained-glass windows are What brilliant colors are in those stainedbrilliant. (Rewrite as an exclamatory
glass windows!
sentence).
Do I have time to get to the store before it
closes? (Rewrite as a declarative sentence)
I have time to get to the store before it
closes.
You forgot to bring the library books to
school. (Rewrite as a interrogative
sentence)
Did you forgot to bring the library books to
school?
What an exciting race that was! (Rewrite as
a declarative sentence)
The race was exciting.
You should turn off the lights when you
leave the room. (Rewrite as an imperative
sentence)
Turn off the lights when you leave the
room.
Decide if the sentence is Declarative, Interrogative, Imperative, or Exclamatory.
Use Roman numerals whenever you write
an outline, Margo.
imperative
Did you know Roman numerals consist of
seven individual letters use as numbers?
interrogative
These letters are I, V, L, C, D and M.
declarative
Imagine building a boat with no nails or
screws.
imperative
What a difficult job that would be!
exclamatory
Decide if the sentence is Declarative, Interrogative, Imperative, or Exclamatory. Then
add the correct punctuation.
I have recently learned some interesting
facts from American history
declarative; add .
Consider the similarities between President
Lincoln and President Kennedy
imperative; add .
President Abraham Lincoln was elected in
1860
declarative; add .
Did you know that John F. Kennedy was
elected president in 1960
interrogative; add ?
It is tragic that both Lincoln and Kennedy
were assassinated
declarative; add .
The vice presidents under both Lincoln and
Kennedy were named Johnson
declarative; add .
What a strange coincidence that is
exclamatory; add !
Read about the investigations into the
deaths of both men
imperative; add .
How many people believe that there was a
conspiracy in Kennedy’s assassination
interrogative; add ?
There are still unanswered questions about
these deaths
declarative; add .
Find the subject and verb in each sentence. Use CV for compound verb, CS for a
compound subject, and CV CS for both a compound subject and a compound verb.
Have you or Kimberly found your tap
shoes yet?
CS – you, Kimberly
verb – found
Alec or James will wash and dry the dishes
after dinner tonight.
CS – Alec, James
CV – wash, dry
In my school, both the Spanish club and the CS – club, club
German club have at least twenty members. verb – have
Where are the batteries for this flashlight?
subject – batteries
verb – are
At the end of the school year, we will either subject – we take
take a class trip or have a party.
verb – will, have
She added the numbers and then checked
the answer.
subject – she
CV – added, checked
Neither Steve nor Katya borrowed that
book.
CS – Steve, Katya
verb – borrowed
Andres and Clarence searched the room
and looked on all the shelves.
CS – Andres, Clarence
CV – searched, looked
You should wear sturdy shoes and pack a
raincoat.
subject – you
CV – wear, pack
Are you expecting rain during the hike?
subject – you
verb – are expecting
The newspaper and the radio carried stories
about the weather.
CS – newspaper, radio
verb – carried
Fog and rain are expected this afternoon.
CS – fog, rain
verb – are expected
We could cancel the hike and meet at the
museum.
subject – we
CV – could cancel, meet
The new exhibit about Egypt is open and
should be interesting.
subject – exhibit
CV – is open, should be
Do you and your sister take the bus or walk
to school?
CS – you, sister
CV – take, walk
We usually take the bus in the morning and
walk home in the afternoon.
subject – we
CV – take, walk
She has band practice and works in the
library after school.
subject – she
CV – has, works
My friend Nita and I belong to several of
the same clubs.
CS – friend, I
verb – belong
Nita walks home with my sister and me on
Tuesdays and Thursdays.
subject – Nita
verb – walks
Either Max or his brother Sam rented a
boat and went fishing last summer.
CS – Max, Sam
CV – rented, went