Verbs are an essential part of any sentence. Without verbs, you cannot express a complete thought.

The Merriam Webster dictionary defines a verb as “a word that expresses an action, an occurrence, or a state of being”. These three different functions fall into three different types of verbs: action verbs, linking or “to be” verbs, and auxiliary verbs.

In this blog post, we will focus on learning how to recognize and use action verbs, but you can learn more about the other types of verbs in Albert’s Grammar Course. 

When you’re ready, test yourself with a quiz and practice with our high-quality, standards-aligned questions here.

The Basics of Action Verbs

What is an action verb? 

An action verb describes an action that a person, animal, object, or process in nature can do. For example, a cheetah chases gazelles across a plain, and the gazelles sprint away, hearing the tall grass rustle underneath the lion’s paws. 

In the sentence above, there are several verbs that describe action; the cheetah chases the gazelles, and the gazelles hear the grass rustle and sprint away. 

How are action verbs different from auxiliary verbs?

While action verbs are typically the main verb of the sentence and express the action being done by the subject, auxiliary verbs “help” the main action verb by expressing tense, mood, or voice. 

For example, if the gazelles were no longer being chased by the cheetah, the sentence would read: The gazelles were chased by the cheetah and would have been caught if the cheetah would not have stubbed his toe on a rock. 

Let’s take this sentence apart, because there is a lot going on! 

In the sentence above, there are three action verbs: chased, caught, and stubbed. 

However, there are also several auxiliary verbs that add meaning to both the action verbs and the overall sentence. These auxiliary verbs are: were, would, have, and been. Were, have, and been are auxiliary verbs that express tense, or when the cheetah chased the gazelles. 

The auxiliary verb would expresses possibility. It was very possible that the gazelles would have been the cheetah’s breakfast if the cheetah had not stubbed his toe. 

If you want to read more about auxiliary verbs, check out this post on Albert. 

How are action verbs different from linking verbs?

Action verbs and linking verbs are alike in that they can both be the main verb of a sentence. However, they are different in that linking verbs cannot show action. Ever. Linking verbs can only show a state of being or condition. 

For example, Kevin was tired of asking Joe for his Netflix password, so he finally bought his own subscription. 

In this sentence, the linking verb was is the main verb of the first clause. This linking verb “links” or connects the subject, Kevin, to his current state of being, which is tired. There is also an action verb in the second independent clause of this sentence. Because Kevin was tired of bugging his friend, he took action when he bought a Netflix subscription. 

What is the relationship between these different types of verbs? 

To recap what we learned above, actions verbs and linking verbs can stand on their own in sentences as the main verb, even though they have very different functions. Sentences can have both action and linking verbs in the same sentence, but they have to be in separate clauses. 

Here is what it might look like: 

When Carlos and Suzanne rode the Haunted Mansion ride at Disney World, Carlos thought he might be scared, but Suzanne assured him that the ride was more silly than scary. 

In the sentence above, rode, thought, and assured are all action verbs. Each of these action verbs are connected to a subject. Both was and be are linking verbs. Each of these linking verbs are also connected to their own subjects. 

Conversely, action verbs can exist without auxiliary verbs, but auxiliary verbs must be connected to a main verb, whether it is an action or linking verb, to make sense. 

Let’s look at the sentence above one more time: 

When Carlos and Suzanne rode the Haunted Mansion ride at Disney World, Carlos thought he might be scared, but Suzanne assured him that the ride was more silly than scary. 

If you look closely, you’ll see that there is an auxiliary verb attached to a linking verb. The auxiliary verb, might, is attached to the linking verb, be. 

Two things are going on here: while the linking verb, be, expresses a state of being (Carlos is scared!), the auxiliary verb, might, helps the reader understand that Carlos is not actually scared right now, but there is a possibility that he could be scared later. 

How do you use action verbs? 

Simply put, writers use action verbs in sentences to express an action done by a person, an animal, an object, or nature. 

For example, a postal worker delivering mail, a cat meowing, a ball rolling, or a flower blooming are all action verbs. 

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3 Tips for Understanding Action Verbs

Here are some important tips to help you understand action verbs: 

Tip #1. Action verbs must describe an action–not a state of being

• For example, the sentence, “the sun scorched the parched desert sand” uses an action verb to describe an action done by the hot sun.
• You would NOT use an action verb to say that “the sun is hot” because the verb, is, is a linking verb that describes a state of being

Tip #2. Action verbs and linking verbs can be used together, but they must be in separate clauses

• For example, Marcus played Fortnite until 2 in the morning last night, so he was too tired to get up for school the next morning. 
• In this sentence, played is an action verb describing an action done by Marcus in the first clause. Then, in the second clause, a linking verb is used to show Marcus’ state of being: Marcus was tired. 

Tip #3. Action verbs can be paired with auxiliary verbs to express tense, mood, or voice

• For example, Laura Jean should tell Will that she has feelings for him, but she is too nervous. 
• In this sentence, the auxiliary verb, should, shows the reader that Laura Jean has not told Will how she feels about him, but the writer believes that she should. 

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Applying the Basics: Action Verb Review & Practice

Now that you understand how action verbs are used, review the anchor chart below and complete the review to test your knowledge of these verbs. 

The Ultimate List of Action, Linking, and Auxiliary Verb Examples

Refer to the graphic below to learn the difference between these three types of verbs:

This list, obviously, does not include all action, linking, and auxiliary verbs; however, it is meant to be used as a guide while identifying these types of verbs.

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Action Verb Exercises and Review 

Now that you know some common action verbs, test your ability to accurately identify these verbs.

Select the action verb(s) in the sentences below. Remember, these verbs must describe action and not a state of being.

1. Esperanza could not wait to celebrate her upcoming quinceanera with her family and closest friends. 

• In this sentence, wait is the only action verb. While there are other verbs in this sentence, this is the only one that describes action. 

2. The crowd exploded with cheers as the hockey puck slid through the goalie’s legs and into the goal. 

• In this sentence, exploded and slid are both examples of action verbs. Exploded describes the loud cheers of the crowd of people, and slid describes how the hockey puck narrowly made it into the goal. 

3. Alexis stared gloomily out of her bedroom window as the rain poured down unceasingly. 

• In this sentence, both stared and poured are action verbs. Stared describes an action done by Alexis, while poured describes an action performed by the rain. 

4. The cat reared its back and hissed through its teeth even though the excited lab only wanted to play. 

• In this sentence, reared, hissed, and wanted are all examples of action verbs. Reared and hissed are actions performed by the cat, while wanted expresses an action done by the dog. 

5. As the runners approached the final mile, they ignored their screaming legs and pushed themselves even harder. 

• In this sentence, approached, ignored, and pushed are all action verbs that describe the runners. 

Pro tip: When evaluating whether a verb is an action verb, ask yourself, is this verb describing an action that can be performed by a person, an animal, an object, or nature? If it is not describing an action but rather a state of being, then it is NOT an action verb. 

For additional practice, check out Action Verb content on Albert.

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Try for Yourself: Action Verbs Quiz

Feeling confident in your understanding of action verbs? 

Take this short six-question quiz to see what you’ve learned:

1. Does an action verb have to include an auxiliary or helping verb in order to make sense?

• Answer: No 
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! An action verb can stand on its own without an auxiliary verb. Auxiliary verbs are only added if the writer wants to express tense, mood, or voice. 
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, an action verb can stand on its own as the main verb of a sentence. While auxiliary verbs can be used with action verbs, they are not required. 

2. Can an action verb be used in the same sentence as a linking verb as long as these verbs are in different clauses? 

• Answer: Yes 
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! Action and linking verbs can be used together in the same sentence, but they must be in separate clauses. 
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, both action verbs and linking verbs can both function as the main verb of the sentence. This means that if you have a sentence with multiple independent clauses, you can have more than one main verb. 

3. In this sentence, are the underlined words action or linking verbs?

As she spoke, her lips moved but no sound came out, then suddenly, her hands formed words in sign language as quickly as she mouthed them. 

• Answer: Action
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The verbs spoke, moved, came, formed, and mouthed are all examples of action verbs because they describe actions done by the girl.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, an action verb must express action while linking verbs must express a state of being. 

4. In this sentence, are the underlined words action or linking verbs?

When he was first rescued, the Pit Bull puppy was scared and trembling, but as soon as he knew he was safe and had a loving home, he was happy. 

• Answer: Linking
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The verbs was and had are linking verbs that connect the subject, the Pit Bull puppy, to his changing state of being. 
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, a linking verb connects the subject to a state of being. 

5. In this sentence, are the underlined words action or auxiliary verbs?

The caterpillar burst out of his chrysalis as a radiant butterfly. 

• Answer: Action
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The verb burst is an example of an action verb because it describes an action done by the caterpillar. 
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, an action verb must express action while linking verbs must express a state of being. 

6. In this sentence, are the underlined words action or auxiliary verbs?

You may go to bed late, but you may not eat five cartons of ice cream. 

• Answer: Auxiliary  
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The verb may “helps” the action verbs express permission and is an auxiliary verb. 
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right!  Remember, an auxiliary verb must connect to an action or linking verb to make sense, and auxiliary verbs exist to “help” verbs express tense, voice, or mood. 

For additional practice with action verbs, check out our practice on Albert: Action Verbs.

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Teacher’s Corner for Action Verbs

While it’s true that understanding the difference between these three types of verbs is a foundational grammar skill, the Common Core English Language Progressive Skills Chart shows that even elementary-level skills require regular practice in the upper grades. 

The Common Core State Standards site is a great resource that lists specific standards addressing action verbs.

Albert’s action verb practice can easily be implemented in the classroom for various grade levels. These short practice assignments are great for homework, bell work, mini-lessons, and exit tickets. 

We also provide full-fledged assessments to evaluate student understanding of these grammatical concepts, but if you prefer, you can select different concepts to craft your own assessments to best fit your students’ needs.

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Summary for Action Verbs

Action Verbs describe an action that can be done by a person, an animal, an object, or nature. 

Linking Verbs describe a state of being. 

Auxiliary Verbs help action and linking verbs by adding tense, mood, or voice to these verbs. 

Be sure to check out our grammar course for more action verb practice. 

You can also access over 3,400 high-quality questions that address nearly every grammatical concept.

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