Helping and Linking Verbs

Action, Linking, and Helping Verbs

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Verbs!

​Action	​Linking	​Helping
​Show action	​Link subject to more information	​Help show another verb
​chop	​is	​am thinking

​Action Verbs

Multiple Select

Select all the action verbs

• poke

• squirm

• daydream

• was

Helping Verbs

​Linking Verbs

​Below are common linking verbs
(these are also on your cheat sheet!)

Action versus Linking

• An action verb shows a mental or physical action

• A linking verb connects the subject to a noun or adjective (functions like an = sign)

Some verbs are always an action. For example...

• sleep

• think

• gobble

• run

Some verbs always function as a linking verb (unless they are helping another verb)

• For example:

  • is (linking verb) He is groggy.

  • am (linking verb) I am amazed.

  • are (linking verb) The reindeer are ready.

• *If these verbs appear next to an action verb, though, they are a helping verb (rather than linking)

  • Example: He is drooling (is is a helping verb)

  • I am getting ready (am is a helping verb)

Some verbs, though, can be ACTION or LINKING; it just depends on the context

Example:

The pizza tasted funny. (tasted = linking) (Pizza = funny)

The cat tasted the pizza. (tasted= action) (The cat is taking the action of tasting)

Ask yourself:

Is it happening? (action)

Is it linking/ functioning as an = sign?

(linking)

Cindy Lou Who felt the Grinch's presence.


Cindy Lou Who felt happy.

Multiple Choice

Frosty felt sweaty.

• Felt is an action verb

• Felt is a linking verb

Multiple Choice

Santa looked at the snowstorm.

• looked is an action verb

• looked is a linking verb

Multiple Choice

Santa looked chubby.

• looked is an action verb

• looked is a linking verb

Multiple Choice

Prancer appears confident.

• appears is an action verb

• appears is a linking verb

Multiple Choice

Dasher appeared out of nowhere!

• appeared is an action verb

• appeared is a linking verb