Most verbs show an action, such as run, jump or eat. A linking verb is different: it does not show an action but links the subject to a word that tells about it. In 'The soup is hot,' the word is links the soup to hot. The linking verbs second graders meet most often are is, are, was and were. They tell what something is or was like, now or in the past.
This worksheet gives ten short sentences, each with one linking verb, and the child circles it from the three words of the sentence's core: the noun, the verb and the describing word. Ask your child whether anyone is doing something in the sentence. If nobody is acting, and the verb is is, are, was or were, it is a linking verb.
What your child will learn
Find the linking verb in a sentence
Know that is, are, was and were can link a noun to a describing word
Tell a linking verb from an action verb
Common Core standard: L.2.1
Worked example
In 'The soup is hot,' is is the linking verb. It does not show an action. It links soup to hot.
Common mistake
Circling the describing word (hot) because it feels like the important word.
Helpful hint
Look for is, are, was or were. It links the noun to the describing word.