Action and Linking Verbs Worksheet — Grade 6
Grade 6 worksheet drilling action and linking verbs: classify verbs, correct adjective-adverb errors, and write original sentences using both verb types.
Many verbs do one of two jobs in a sentence. Action verbs describe what a subject does, whether that action is physical — running, building, measuring — or mental — wondering, calculating, believing. Linking verbs do something quite different: they connect the subject to a word that renames or describes it. Common linking verbs include forms of be as well as words like seem, appear, become, remain, feel, look, smell, taste, and grow. The tricky part is that several of these words can function as either type depending on the sentence. This worksheet guides sixth-grade students through four levels of challenge: recognizing the verb type, choosing between options, correcting adjective-adverb errors, and writing original sentences that demonstrate control of both verb types.
Action and Linking Verbs Worksheet — Grade 6
Work through each part carefully, reading every sentence before you answer. Each section has its own directions — follow them exactly.
Remember
- An action verb shows physical or mental activity: 'She solved the equation quickly.'
- A linking verb connects the subject to a word that describes it: 'The sky grew dark.'
- After a linking verb, use an adjective, not an adverb: 'The broth smells wonderful,' not 'wonderfully.'
Part A — Identify Action and Linking Verbs
Circle the main verb in each sentence, then write A for action verb or L for linking verb on the blank provided.
- 1.
Camila calculated the total distance for her science project before the bell rang.
- 2.
After the lengthy group presentation, Marcus seemed unusually confident about his research conclusions.
- 3.
The mood in the gymnasium grew tense as the announcer revealed the final competition scores.
- 4.
Working methodically, the botanist grew rare tropical orchids in her carefully controlled greenhouse.
- 5.
The head chef tasted every ingredient carefully before adding it to the simmering broth.
- 6.
The exotic mushroom soup tasted surprisingly sweet despite the unusual combination of spices.
Part B — Choose the Correct Verb Type
The verb in each sentence is shown in CAPITAL LETTERS; choose the option that correctly describes how that verb functions.
- 7.
The evidence APPEARS convincing until you examine the methodology of the experiment closely.
- a)action verb
- b)linking verb
- c)helping verb
- 8.
Priya FELT anxious about the audition, so she rehearsed her lines one final time.
- a)action verb
- b)linking verb
- c)helping verb
- 9.
During the storm, Kofi carefully EXAMINED each crack in the laboratory wall for damage.
- a)action verb
- b)linking verb
- c)helping verb
- 10.
The debate TURNED contentious when the two groups disagreed about the scientific interpretation.
- a)action verb
- b)linking verb
- c)helping verb
- 11.
The musician FELT the vibration of the strings through the wooden body of the instrument.
- a)action verb
- b)linking verb
- c)helping verb
Part C — Correct the Verb Error
Each sentence uses an adverb where an adjective is needed after a linking verb; rewrite the sentence with the correct word.
- 12.
Mateo felt badly about missing the team meeting, so he apologized to everyone promptly.
- 13.
The freshly baked bread smelled wonderfully as it cooled on the kitchen counter.
- 14.
After the long hike, the students looked tiredly even though they had reached the summit.
- 15.
The scientist remained quietly while the machine processed the final set of data results.
- 16.
The homemade salsa tasted incredibly spicily, which surprised everyone at the school fundraiser.
Part D — Write Your Own Sentences
Follow each prompt to write your own sentence or sentences that correctly use the verb type described.
- 17.
Write a sentence where 'appear' is a linking verb followed by a predicate adjective describing the subject.
- 18.
Write two sentences using 'look': one as an action verb and one as a linking verb. Label each sentence A or L.
Answer key
Part A — Identify Action and Linking Verbs
- 1.calculated (action verb)
- 2.seemed (linking verb)
- 3.grew (linking verb)
- 4.grew (action verb)
- 5.tasted (action verb)
- 6.tasted (linking verb)
Part B — Choose the Correct Verb Type
- 7.linking verb
- 8.linking verb
- 9.action verb
- 10.linking verb
- 11.action verb
Part C — Correct the Verb Error
- 12.Mateo felt bad about missing the team meeting, so he apologized to everyone promptly.
- 13.The freshly baked bread smelled wonderful as it cooled on the kitchen counter.
- 14.After the long hike, the students looked tired even though they had reached the summit.
- 15.The scientist remained quiet while the machine processed the final set of data results.
- 16.The homemade salsa tasted incredibly spicy, which surprised everyone at the school fundraiser.
Part D — Write Your Own Sentences
- 17.Example: The ancient cave paintings appear remarkably vivid despite being thousands of years old.
- 18.Example: (A) The researcher looked through the data carefully to find any unusual patterns. (L) The final report looked thorough after the team spent two days revising it.
What this worksheet teaches
- Distinguish action verbs from linking verbs in complex, multi-clause sentences.
- Correct sentences that incorrectly use adverbs instead of adjectives after linking verbs.
- Write original sentences that use 'appear,' 'feel,' or 'look' as both action and linking verbs.
Notes for the grown-up
- Students often write 'I feel badly' or 'it smells wonderfully' — these are the most common linking-verb errors at this grade.
- If students make adjective-or-adverb errors, ask: 'Is this word describing the subject or the action?' to clarify.
- A student ready to advance can explain why 'tasted' is a linking verb in one sentence but an action verb in another.
Practise this next
Identifying Adjectives and the Nouns They Describe — Grade 5
Grade 5 worksheet where students identify adjectives in sentences, name the noun each one describes, and correct common adjective errors in context.
Finding Verbs in a Sentence Worksheet — Grade 2
Grade 2 students identify action verbs in short sentences by circling, completing, and choosing from options in this focused three-part worksheet.
Common and Proper Nouns Worksheet — Grade 2
Grade 2 worksheet practicing the difference between common and proper nouns, using identify, fill-blank, and multiple-choice exercises across 12 questions.
Finding Nouns in Sentences — Kindergarten
Kindergarten worksheet where students circle nouns in short sentences and sort single words as noun or not a noun, building early noun recognition skills.
Compound Sentences: Comma and Coordinating Conjunction — Grade 6
Grade 6 grammar worksheet that drills joining two independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction to form compound sentences.
Quotation Marks in Direct Speech Worksheet — Grade 6
Grade 6 writers practice identifying dialogue tags, placing commas correctly before and after quoted speech, and positioning end marks in direct quotations.