Name: _________________ Block: _______ Date: _________________
Linking Verbs
A linking verb links, or joins, the subject of a sentence (often a noun or pronoun) with a word or
expression that identifies or describes the subject. Be in all its forms (am, is, are, was, were,
been, being) is the most common linking verb. Other linking verbs include look, sound, feel,
grow, remain, stay, seem, appear, become, and taste.
I am a soldier.
Bananas were plentiful.
The opera sounded wonderful.
She felt sad.
Exercise 1 - Underline each linking verb. Circle each action verb.
EXAMPLE:
Fiona is Irish.
1. About 40 million Americans claimed Irish ancestry.
2. Among the states with the largest number of Irish Americans are Massachusetts,
Delaware, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.
3. Ireland was a country with a large population.
4. The large number of people caused a rise in the poverty level.
5. The Irish had an advantage over other immigrants because they could speak English.
6. In spite of this, however, many Irish suffered discrimination.
7. Irish Americans have made important contributions in many areas of American life
and society.
8. One well-known Irish American was President John F. Kennedy.
9. Other famous Irish Americans are actor John Wayne, singer Bing Crosby, and Ronald
Reagan, the former president.
10. March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, is the day when Irish Americans celebrate their
heritage.
Exercise 3 - Underline the linking verb (or verbs) in each sentence.
EXAMPLE: This is the story of an American hero.
1. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the thirty-fifth president of the United States.
Name: _________________ Block: _______ Date: _________________
2. When he was a child, his life seemed easy.
3. Joseph and Rose Kennedy appeared eager to give their children every opportunity to
succeed.
4. Events grew bleaker in Europe as World War II advanced.
5. John Kennedy felt confident that he could command a Navy motor torpedo boat.
6. He became a hero when he led his men back to safety.
7. Though often ill, he looked vigorous and strong.
8. He remains the youngest person ever elected President of the United States.
9. His inaugural address sounded eloquent to the citizens.
10. His ideas were new and exciting.
Name: _________________ Block: _______ Date: _________________
Verb Phrases
The verb in a sentence may consist of more than one word. The words that accompany the
main verb are called auxiliary, or helping, verbs. A verb phrase consists of a main verb and all
its auxiliary verbs.
FORMS OF BE
am, is, are, was, were, being, been
FORMS OF HAVE
has, have, had
OTHER AUXILIARIES
can, could, may, might, shall, will, do, does, did, must,
should, would
The most common auxiliary verbs are the forms of be and have.
The are going.
They have gone.
They had been going.
The other auxiliary verbs are not used primarily to express time.
She should be arriving.
Could she have arrived?
She could already be sitting there.
Exercise 1 – Place a check next to each sentence that contains an auxiliary verb. In the
sentences that contain an auxiliary verb, underline the verb phrase. Then circle the auxiliary
verb.
 EXAMPLE: Stock car racing has been popular for years.
_______ 1. No one has been more successful in auto races that Richard Petty.
_______ 2. Stock cars are quite different from the sleek cars in the Indianapolis 500.
_______ 3. On the outside, stock cars may appear normal.
_______ 4. The cars also have additional safety features.
_______ 5. Did Richard Petty ever crash his race car?
_______ 6. Richard Petty won his last race on July 4, 1984.
_______ 7. For many faces, stock car racing is a family affair.
_______8. Men and women, boys and girls, and people of all ages enjoy watching the races.
_______ 9. For drivers, racing can also be a family affair.
_______ 10. Not surprisingly, Richard’s son is following in his father’s footsteps.