3rd grade helping verbs worksheets
Helping verbs adjust the main verb's time and mood: was sliding, has learned, might land. Third graders identify the helper in front of the action and learn that the same word can help (is running) or link (is happy).
Free printable PDF worksheet.
Each print is a different sheet with its own answer key. You don't need to sign up.
Need one more? These are the skills next door at this grade.
The kind of sentences you'll get
Underline the helping verb in each sentence.
-
The wind is pushing the sailboats quickly.
Answer: is
- The archaeologists are brushing dust from the mosaic.
- The vet can calm the scared kitten.
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 3rd grade sheet
3rd grade sheets draw from 95 sentences, 12 to a page. 33 of the 95 aren't on 2nd grade sheets. The other 62 are. 2nd grade sheets print 10 to a page.
Some of the words to find:
waswerehashavehadmustshouldmightammay
- Identify. Underline the helping verb in each sentence. 12 questions per page.
- Multiple choice. Circle the letter of the word that is the helping verb. 10 questions per page.
Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.
How to teach this
The partner test resolves everything: what follows the suspect word? An action verb means it's helping (was sliding); a describing word means it's linking (was slippery). Give the modal helpers (can, must, might, should) their own attention, since they never change form and kids sometimes miss that they're verbs at all.
Watch for: The helping verb always has a partner: is running, have finished, will visit. If is stands alone before a describing word, it's a linking verb instead. Helping verbs carry the time of the sentence: was jumping is past, is jumping is now, will jump is future.
Common questions about 3rd grade helping verbs
- Is "is" a helping verb or a linking verb?
- It depends on its partner. Before an action (is running), it helps. Before a description (is tired), it links. The word after is makes the call, which is why our linking-verb and helping-verb worksheets make a good back-to-back pair at this grade.
- What are modal helping verbs?
- The mood-setters: can, may, might, must, should, will. They never change form and always need a main verb (must return, might land). Fourth grade standards name them directly, so meeting them here in 3rd grade puts students a step ahead.
Related worksheets
- 2nd grade helping verbs A step easier, same skill
- 4th grade helping verbs A step harder, same skill
- 3rd grade abstract and concrete nouns Same grade, nearby skill
- 3rd grade action verbs Same grade, nearby skill
- 3rd grade adjective or adverb? Same grade, nearby skill
- Helping verbs, all grades The full progression
- All 3rd grade English worksheets Every skill at this level
- All 3rd grade worksheets Everything at this level
Ready to print one?
Need a fresh set of sentences? Download another copy.
Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 241, updated July 2026.
Spot a mistake on this sheet? Tell us. · About these worksheets