Grade 3 Linking Verbs — Jungle

About this English worksheet for Grade 3

This activity targets L.3.1 by having third graders identify and use linking verbs (is, are, was, were, be, am) in context, which strengthens their understanding of how verbs function differently than action verbs. Teachers can use this worksheet as a formative assessment after direct instruction, then assign similar sentence-building tasks to reinforce that linking verbs connect subjects to descriptive information rather than showing action.

This printable English worksheet is designed for Grade 3 students and covers Linking Verbs. The Jungle theme keeps kids engaged while they practice essential English skills. Every worksheet includes a full answer key making it easy for parents and teachers to check work instantly. Aligned to Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Grade 3 English. Print-ready at US Letter size. No login required — download and print in seconds.

Last updated: April 2026

Why Linking Verbs matters in Grade 3

At age 8 and 9, children are moving beyond simple sentences and beginning to describe the world with more nuance and detail. Linking verbs—words like is, are, am, was, were, looks, feels, and seems—form the backbone of descriptive writing and help students express identity, state of being, and sensory experiences. Unlike action verbs that show what someone does, linking verbs connect a subject to information that describes or identifies it. Mastering linking verbs helps third graders write richer sentences ("The tiger is fierce" instead of just "The tiger"), express their feelings and observations more clearly, and build the grammatical foundation they'll need for more complex sentence structures in later grades. This skill directly supports reading comprehension too—when students recognize linking verbs, they understand what a sentence is really saying about a person, place, or thing.

What your student will practice

• Identify linking verbs in sentences and distinguish them from action verbs
• Use is, are, am, was, and were correctly in present and past tense
• Complete sentences by choosing the correct linking verb to match the subject
• Create original sentences using linking verbs to describe people, animals, and objects

Common mistakes to watch for

The most frequent error is confusing linking verbs with action verbs, leading students to write sentences like "The snake is climbing the branch" when they mean to show action. Another common mistake is subject-verb disagreement: third graders often write "The lions is sleeping" instead of "The lions are sleeping." You'll also notice students sometimes omit linking verbs entirely in casual speech, then forget to include them in writing. Listen for patterns like "She happy" instead of "She is happy," which signals the student hasn't internalized that linking verbs are required, not optional.

Teacher & Parent Tip

Play a "Describe the Animal" game during dinner or car rides: pick an animal (real or imaginary) and take turns making sentences about it using only linking verbs. For example, "The elephant is gray," "It seems tired," "The baby elephants are playful." This makes linking verbs feel natural and purposeful because children see them as tools for sharing observations, not grammar rules. Rotate who picks the animal to keep engagement high, and celebrate sentences that use different linking verbs—this reinforces that students have multiple options beyond just "is."