2nd grade linking verbs worksheets
A linking verb joins the subject to a word that describes it: the soup is hot, the puppy seems sleepy. Second graders learn the common set (is, are, was, were, seems, looks, feels, tastes, smells, sounds) and find the linking verb in each sentence.
Free printable PDF worksheet.
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The kind of sentences you'll get
Underline the linking verb in each sentence.
-
The bread smelled fresh this morning.
Answer: smelled
- The hallway was noisy before class.
- The afternoon grew dark before the rain.
Every print pulls a new set of sentences at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling gets a different mix.
What's on a 2nd grade sheet
2nd grade sheets draw from 71 sentences, 10 to a page. 9 of the 71 aren't on 3rd grade sheets. The other 62 are. 3rd grade sheets print 12 to a page.
Some of the words to find:
smellsfeelsseemedlookedsoundsweresoundedstayedsmelltastes
- Identify. Underline the linking verb in each sentence. 10 questions per page.
- Multiple choice. Circle the letter of the word that is the linking verb. 8 questions per page.
Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.
How to teach this
Teach the equals-sign picture: write "The soup = hot" under "The soup is hot" and let the arrow of the idea land. Then practice the hunt: find the subject, find its describing word, and the linking verb is the bridge between them. Keep the set small at first: is, are, was, were, seems, looks.
Watch for: Linking verbs show no action; they work like an equals sign between the subject and its description. The sense verbs moonlight: in 'She smells the roses' smells is an action, but in 'The roses smell sweet' it links.
Common questions about 2nd grade linking verbs
- What is a linking verb for a 2nd grader?
- A connecting word, not a doing word. In "The kitten is soft," nothing happens; is just joins the kitten to soft. The starter set to know: is, are, was, were, plus seems and looks. Our sheets keep the describing word close so the link is easy to see.
- How is a linking verb different from an action verb?
- Action verbs show something happening (jump, stir, build); linking verbs just connect (is, seems, feels). A quick check: can you act it out? You can act out stirring; you can't act out seeming. That question settles most sentences at this level.
Related worksheets
- 3rd grade linking verbs A step harder, same skill
- 2nd grade action verbs Same grade, nearby skill
- 2nd grade adjective or adverb? Same grade, nearby skill
- 2nd grade adverbs of how, when, and where Same grade, nearby skill
- 2nd grade articles (a, an, the) Same grade, nearby skill
- Linking verbs, all grades The full progression
- All 2nd grade English worksheets Every skill at this level
- All 2nd grade worksheets Everything at this level
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Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 241, updated July 2026.
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