Question

name date
18 action verb or linking verb?
an action verb tells what action someone or something is performing. a linking verb connects a
subject with a word that describes or identifies it.
while forms of be are always linking verbs, most of the other linking verbs can be either linking or action,
depending on how they are used in a sentence. these verbs include appear, become, feel, grow, look,
remain, seem, smell, sound, stay, taste, and turn. to test whether a verb is a linking verb, replace it with
is, am, or are. if the sentence still makes sense, then the verb is a linking verb and not an action verb.
linking: justin sounded tired. (sounded connects justin with tired, which describes him.)
action: the guard sounded an alarm. (the guard performed an action.)
practice a identifying action verbs and linking verbs
read each sentence. then, write each verb and label it action or linking.
example: tasha grows and sells ginseng.
answer: grows—action; sells—action

1. the potpourri in the glass bowl smells spicy.
2. miriam turned left onto sylvan avenue.
3. anna always looks both ways at a crosswalk.
4. enrique remained eager to learn french.
5. the director grew angry when the actor flubbed his lines again.
6. jonah looked sleepy even after jess sprayed him with a squirt gun.
7. a bright light appeared on the horizon.
8. the picnic foods stayed cold in our cooler.
9. when zoey smells cinnamon, it always reminds her of home.
10. the mood turned serious during david’s story.

practice b writing action verbs and linking verbs
read the verbs below. write a sentence for each verb, using it as indicated. you may use any form of the
verb (past tense, with helping verbs, and so on).
example: look — linking
answer: berta looked excited about trying out for the team.

1. look — action
2. become — linking
3. feel — action
4. feel — linking
5. turn — action

writing and speaking application
write a paragraph describing a meal or just one dish, using at least three linking verbs and three action
verbs. then, read your paragraph to a partner. your partner should listen for and identify the linking
verbs and action verbs. switch roles with your partner.

Explanation:

PRACTICE A Answers:

1. smells—linking (smells connects potpourri with spicy, describing it)
2. turned—action (Miriam performed the action of turning)
3. looks—action (Anna performs the action of looking)
4. remained—linking (remained connects Enrique with eager, describing him)
5. grew—linking (grew connects director with angry, describing him)
6. looked—linking (looked connects Jonah with sleepy, describing him); sprayed—action (Jess performed the action of spraying)
7. appeared—linking (appeared connects light with being on the horizon, describing it)
8. stayed—linking (stayed connects foods with cold, describing them)
9. smells—action (Zoey performs the action of smelling); reminds—action (it performs the action of reminding)
10. turned—linking (turned connects mood with serious, describing it)

PRACTICE B Answers:

1. look — action: I look for my keys every morning. (look is an action of searching)
2. become — linking: She became a doctor after years of study. (became connects she with doctor, identifying her)
3. feel — action: He feels the texture of the fabric. (feel is an action of touching to perceive)
4. feel — linking: I feel happy today. (feel connects I with happy, describing me)
5. turn — action: Please turn the page of the book. (turn is an action of moving the page)

Writing and Speaking Application Example Paragraph:

The soup smelled delicious as it simmered on the stove. It tasted savory with a hint of herbs. The bread looked golden and crispy when I took it out of the oven. I stirred the soup gently and placed the bread on a plate. My family became excited when they saw the meal. We felt full and content after we ate.

• Linking Verbs: smelled, tasted, looked, became, felt
• Action Verbs: simmered, took, stirred, placed, ate

Answer:

PRACTICE A Answers:

1. smells—linking (smells connects potpourri with spicy, describing it)
2. turned—action (Miriam performed the action of turning)
3. looks—action (Anna performs the action of looking)
4. remained—linking (remained connects Enrique with eager, describing him)
5. grew—linking (grew connects director with angry, describing him)
6. looked—linking (looked connects Jonah with sleepy, describing him); sprayed—action (Jess performed the action of spraying)
7. appeared—linking (appeared connects light with being on the horizon, describing it)
8. stayed—linking (stayed connects foods with cold, describing them)
9. smells—action (Zoey performs the action of smelling); reminds—action (it performs the action of reminding)
10. turned—linking (turned connects mood with serious, describing it)

PRACTICE B Answers:

1. look — action: I look for my keys every morning. (look is an action of searching)
2. become — linking: She became a doctor after years of study. (became connects she with doctor, identifying her)
3. feel — action: He feels the texture of the fabric. (feel is an action of touching to perceive)
4. feel — linking: I feel happy today. (feel connects I with happy, describing me)
5. turn — action: Please turn the page of the book. (turn is an action of moving the page)

Writing and Speaking Application Example Paragraph:

The soup smelled delicious as it simmered on the stove. It tasted savory with a hint of herbs. The bread looked golden and crispy when I took it out of the oven. I stirred the soup gently and placed the bread on a plate. My family became excited when they saw the meal. We felt full and content after we ate.

• Linking Verbs: smelled, tasted, looked, became, felt
• Action Verbs: simmered, took, stirred, placed, ate