Action Verb Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: 3.L.3.1.A

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

Action verbs (AV) express an action that is taking place by the subject of a sentence. These can either come in a mental or physical form. When you are looking to spot the AV in sentence locate a word that someone or something can do. These parts of speech convey information that is not only important, but they provide our statements with a sense of purpose. The subject of any sentence is, of course, crucial. Understanding what that subject is doing is just a little more essential for the reader to really understand what is occurring. Below you find a number of worksheets that ask you to identify or write your own AVs. This is super helpful to bolster your ability to write with this part of speech more accurately.

Action Verb Worksheets To Print:

Fun Verbs - This is a little slap-stick funny. The best way to approach these sentences is to look for movement.

Line of Work - We have you do a quick recognition activity. Which word truly sticks out to you?

Yes or No - Hone in on those bold words to go with. Think pretty clearer, some of these are just nouns.

All Around - Some of the choices aren't even verbs, I would start there. You will compose your own sentences when just given a single word to work off of.

Picture That... - Look at the pictures and make your choice of verb from there. The word bank, at the bottom, can come in handy.

Take It! - Unscramble the parts of speech at the bottom of the page. After that, you will need to label each picture.

Identifying Them -This activity will help you practice the skill of spotting these words in their natural habitat.

What Are They Doing? - Where are those pesky words we are looking for? They are hiding in these sentences.

Ouch! - Read the words below. Circle the action verb on each of the lines. There are four to choose from and some may trip you up.

A Worker or Not? - Read the words in the Word Bank. Sort them into the correct categories.

Lights, Camera, Let's Go! - Choose the action verb from each pair of words and use it in a sentence.

Word Search - Point them out to the best of your ability. There are four to choose from in each row here.

Bring Your Writing to Life! - Use an action verb to create a sentence from each set of words below. Write your sentence on the line.

Writing with Them - Fill in the blank in each sentence with a word or phrase of your choice.

Recognizing Action Verbs - Choose the correct choice from each pair of words and use it in a sentence.

Why Do Writers Use Action Verbs?

When writing stories the creative use of action verbs can mean the difference between exciting your readers and/or lulling them to sleep. For example if we were to say, "The teacher ate an apple." This tells us the action taking by the teacher, but it doesn't give us a clear understanding of the teacher's emotional state. Was the teacher very hungry? If we rewrote that sentence as, "The teacher devoured the apple!" We now understand that the teacher was seriously hungry. Many students will often think that all verbs are of the action variety. Stative verbs come in at a different angle they express a state, not a moving part. An example of this would be the verb "feel" in the sentence, "I do not feel well today."


What really sets apart action and stative verbs is that action verbs are used in continuous tenses. This means that the activity could be happening currently (present tense), could happen in the future (future tense), or could have happened in the past (past tense). If we were working with the AV (run), it could be presented in several forms. Present tense: I am running as fast as I can. Future tense: Tomorrow I will run in the race. Past tense: I ran the ball down the field for 15-yards.


What often sets apart a mediocre and a talented author is this use of strong language that almost forces the reader to think and make some considerations on how they feel about what is being explored. These authors craft their compositions in order to elicit an emotional response from their audience. This measure leaves a lasting impact and a footprint for your work. Strong words take a general thought and laser focus it to make an enduring impression on readers. This not only makes the work more intriguing but can increase the chances that your audience will want more.


It is one thing to encourage you to use stronger language, but how do you learn to use this in your own writing? We find the best place to start is by editing pieces that you have already written. When you are reviewing this work circle any words that seem like they are out place or are what we would classify as weak words. Weak words are often easy to spot, and they are most likely descriptive words, but more often than not, they are verbs. When you find these word in your own compositions, circle them and brainstorm at least three alternative words. These words can also help us better understand the situation that is taking place in a story. Here is an example sentence that we can work on beefing up and lets analyze what it does for the work:


Marsh was walking down the hospital corridor.


The word of interest being walking. If we wanted to show a high level of focus or a sense of urgency on the part of the character, we could change the word to:


Marsh trampled down the hospital corridor.