Linking Verbs Worksheets

About These 15 Worksheets

Linking Verb worksheets are teaching tools used to help students understand and practice using linking verbs, which are verbs that connect the subject of a sentence to a subject complement, such as an adjective or a noun that describes the subject. These verbs do not show action but instead link the subject with the rest of the sentence. The most common linking verb is “to be,” in its various forms (am, is, are, was, were), but others include verbs like “seem,” “become,” “appear,” and sensory verbs like “feel,” “look,” “smell,” “sound,” and “taste.”

Types of Exercises in Our Linking Verb Worksheets

Identification Exercises – These require students to identify the linking verb in a sentence. The sentences will have a mixture of action and linking verbs, and students must distinguish between them.

Fill-in-the-Blanks – Students are given sentences with missing verbs and must fill in the blank with an appropriate linking verb.

Matching Exercises – Students might match subjects to appropriate adjectives or nouns using linking verbs, or they might match different forms of the verb “to be” with the subjects it agrees with.

Correction Exercises – These exercises provide sentences that incorrectly use linking verbs, and students must rewrite the sentences with the correct verb form.

Sentence Completion – Students are provided with the beginning or end of a sentence and must complete it by using a linking verb that makes sense in context.

Multiple Choice Questions – Students choose the correct linking verb to use in a sentence from a list of options, some of which may include action verbs to add to the challenge.

Verb Sorting – Worksheets may ask students to sort a list of verbs into action verbs and linking verbs.

Sentence Writing – Students write their own sentences using a given linking verb, demonstrating their understanding of how linking verbs connect the subject with a characteristic or state of being.

Paragraph Writing – More advanced students might be asked to write a short paragraph using several linking verbs to connect ideas smoothly.

Transformation Exercises – Students transform sentences by changing action verbs into linking verbs without changing the meaning of the sentence.

Benefits of Practicing with Linking Verb Worksheets

Grammar Mastery – Regular practice with these worksheets can help students master the part of grammar that deals with linking verbs, which is fundamental to constructing clear and grammatically correct sentences.

Understanding Sentence Structure – By focusing on the role of linking verbs, students gain a deeper understanding of sentence structure, which helps them in identifying the subject and the predicate, and how they are connected.

Vocabulary Expansion – Linking verb exercises often introduce students to new adjectives and states of being, expanding their vocabulary and allowing for more expressive language use.

Writing Clarity – Understanding how to use linking verbs properly can improve the clarity of a student’s writing, as they are able to more accurately describe the state of the subject.

Critical Thinking – When students determine the correct linking verb to use, they engage in critical thinking about word choice and sentence meaning.

Language Proficiency – Mastery of linking verbs can lead to overall language proficiency, as these verbs are fundamental to English sentence construction.

Creative Expression – With a solid understanding of linking verbs, students can create more nuanced and descriptive sentences, which is beneficial for all types of writing, from creative to academic.

Improved Communication – Linking verbs are essential for describing states of being and conditions, which is key in everyday communication. Proficiency in their use can lead to more effective spoken communication.

These worksheets are essential components of language learning curricula, providing a structured approach to understanding and practicing an essential part of English grammar. These worksheets come in many forms, offering exercises that cater to all learning styles and levels of proficiency, ensuring that students not only learn to identify and use linking verbs correctly but also improve their overall ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both written and spoken English.