ACTION AND LINKING
Write/draw
something on
the board.
Stand up and
turn in a
circle.
Step outside
the classroom
and then
come back in.
Go to the
window and
look out.
 Verbs can show action or state of being.
Examples: go (action), is (state of being)
 An action verb expresses a physical or
mental action.
Example: He paints.
We thought about it.
 An action verb is a word that names an
A
C
T
I
O
N
V
action. It may contain more than one
word.
 Notice the following action verbs.
E
R
B
S
 Sports experts write about the football
player Jim Thorpe even today. Thorpe
blocked like a tank. He tackled like a
tornado. In every game Thorpe attacked
his opponents with all his might. He
caught the ball skillfully and charged
ahead fearlessly. Experts still remember
and honor Thorpe’s greatness.
A
 An action verb can express physical actions,
C
such as writing and running, or mental
activities such as thinking and honoring.
V
T
I E
Physical
Mental
write
remember
O R
B
N
block
honor
tackle
prefer
S
catch
excel
charge
regarded
hike
thought
LINKING
VERBS
Linking verbs tell what the subject is or is like.
A linking verb connects the subject of a
sentence with a description or identifier of
the subject (a noun or an adjective in the
predicate).
Linking Verb
John McGraw was the manager.
Subject
Predicate Noun
is
am
are
was
were
be
become
grow
turn
seem
taste
appear
feel
look
sound
smell
Many of these linking verbs can also be used as
action verbs.
Chandra turned thirteen. (Linking Verb)
The car turned the corner. (Action Verb)
A predicate noun follows a linking
verb. It tells what the subject is.
Sam is a pitcher.
Susan was our best player.
A predicate adjective follows a linking verb.
It describes the subject by telling what it is
like.
Samantha is beautiful.
Susan was bored with sports.
The horses were interesting.
Let’s Practice
In the following
sentences, see if you
can identify the verb.
Then, tell me what it
is: Action or Linking?
Frank was tired
after work.
Frank was tired
after work.
Verb: was
Frank was tired
after work.
Verb: was
Type: linking verb
My dad drove his
car to the store.
My dad drove his
car to the store.
Verb: drove
My dad drove his
car to the store.
Verb: drove
Type: action verb
Finding Nemo is her
favorite movie.
Finding Nemo is her
favorite movie.
Verb: is
Finding Nemo is her
favorite movie.
Verb: is
Type: linking verb
I did my homework
right after school.
I did my homework
right after school.
Verb: did
I did my homework
right after school.
Verb: did
Type: action verb
The ocean water
tastes salty.
The ocean water
tastes salty.
Verb: tastes
The ocean water
tastes salty.
Verb: tastes
Type: linking verb
Thomas raised his
hand.
Thomas raised his
hand.
Verb: raised
Thomas raised his
hand.
Verb: raised
Type: action verb
I am thirsty after all
that running.
I am thirsty after all
that running.
Verb: am
I am thirsty after all
that running.
Verb: am
Type: linking verb
Your quiz will give you sentences. You will need to find
the verbs and tell whether they are action or linking.
I will email the quiz to you tomorrow.
You need to take it and email it back to me by Monday
night.
Extra Practice
Exercise A: Underline the verb in each of the following
sentences.
1. Dena is also very creative.
Extra Practice
Exercise A: Underline the verb in each of the following sentences.
1. Dena is also very creative.
Extra Practice
Exercise A: Underline the verb in each of the following sentences.
2. For her mother’s present,
she painted a waterfront scene.
Extra Practice
Exercise A: Underline the verb in each of the following sentences.
2. For her mother’s present,
she painted a waterfront scene.
Extra Practice
Exercise B: Underline the verb or verb phrase in each of the
following sentences. Be sure to include all words in a verb phrase.
11. He is the youngest in the
family.
Extra Practice
Exercise B: Underline the verb or verb phrase in each of the
following sentences. Be sure to include all words in a verb phrase.
11. He is the youngest in the
family.
Extra Practice
Exercise A: Underline the action verbs in each of the following
sentences. Remember to include any helping verbs.
1. Yoko wrote a short story
about her cat.
Extra Practice
Exercise A: Underline the action verbs in each of the following
sentences. Remember to include any helping verbs.
1. Yoko wrote a short story
about her cat.
Extra Practice
Exercise A: Underline the action verbs in each of the following
sentences. Remember to include any helping verbs.
2. Have you visited your aunt
lately?
Extra Practice
Exercise A: Underline the action verbs in each of the following
sentences. Remember to include any helping verbs.
2. Have you visited your aunt
lately?
Extra Practice
Exercise B: Underline the linking verbs in each of the following
sentences. Remember to include any helping verbs.
11. The jazz band performance
was wonderful.
Extra Practice
Exercise B: Underline the linking verbs in each of the following
sentences. Remember to include any helping verbs.
11. The jazz band performance
was wonderful.