Underline the verb or verb phrase in each sentence and then identify whether it is an action verb or a linking verb.

1.) The hard-working plumber was early.
2.) Those secretaries appear very busy this afternoon.
3.) The cab driver was driving extremely fast down the street.
4.) Her mother, Naomi, is a tax attorney with her own business.
5.) The construction crew will build that house in less than a month.

My answers to check:
1.) should take - Action verb
2.) was early - Linking verb
3.) appear - Linking verb
4.) is - Linking verb
5.) will build - Action verb

??.) should take - Action verb -- ???

1.) was early - Linking verb -- only one of these words is the linking verb

2.) appear - Linking verb -- right

4.) is - Linking verb -- right

5.) will build - Action verb -- right

What about #3?

1.) The hard-working plumber was early.

- Underline: was early
- Verb: was
- Linking verb

2.) Those secretaries appear very busy this afternoon.
- Underline: appear
- Verb: appear
- Linking verb

3.) The cab driver was driving extremely fast down the street.
- Underline: was driving
- Verb: was driving
- Action verb

4.) Her mother, Naomi, is a tax attorney with her own business.
- Underline: is
- Verb: is
- Linking verb

5.) The construction crew will build that house in less than a month.
- Underline: will build
- Verb: will build
- Action verb

To determine the verb or verb phrase in each sentence and whether it is an action verb or a linking verb, follow these steps:

1. Identify the verb or verb phrase in the sentence. The verb is the word or words that express an action or state of being.
1a. The hard-working plumber **was early**.
1b. Those secretaries **appear** very busy this afternoon.
1c. The cab driver **was driving** extremely fast down the street.
1d. Her mother, Naomi, **is** a tax attorney with her own business.
1e. The construction crew **will build** that house in less than a month.

2. Determine whether the verb is an action verb or a linking verb.
2a. In sentence 1a, "was early," "was" is a linking verb because it connects the subject ("plumber") to the complement ("early").
2b. In sentence 1b, "appear" is a linking verb because it connects the subject ("secretaries") to the complement ("busy").
2c. In sentence 1c, "was driving" is an action verb phrase because "was" is a linking verb, and "driving" is the action verb.
2d. In sentence 1d, "is" is a linking verb because it connects the subject ("mother") to the complement ("a tax attorney with her own business").
2e. In sentence 1e, "will build" is an action verb phrase because "will" is a helping verb, and "build" is the action verb.

Correct answers:
1. The verb phrase is "was early," and it is a linking verb.
2. The verb is "appear," and it is a linking verb.
3. The verb phrase is "was driving," and it contains both a linking verb ("was") and an action verb ("driving").
4. The verb is "is," and it is a linking verb.
5. The verb phrase is "will build," and it is an action verb.