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Quizzes > English & Grammar

Action Quiz: Spot Action Verbs in Sentences

Quick, free action verb test. Instant results and examples.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Joshua Kirby Zephyr CabigayanUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art verbs jumping in vibrant shapes on dark blue background inviting quiz takers to spot dynamic action words.

This action verbs quiz helps you spot and use action verbs in real sentences, with instant results. If you want more practice finding verbs, try the find the verb quiz or review the verb to be quiz to see how linking verbs differ. For a wider check on grammar basics, take a quick parts of speech quiz before or after this test.

What does an action verb express?
A grammatical tense
A physical or mental action
An emotion or feeling only
A state of being or existence
Action verbs describe what a subject does physically or mentally, distinguishing them from linking or auxiliary verbs. They convey dynamic processes or activities. For more details on how they function in sentences, see .
In the sentence "The dog barked loudly," which word is the action verb?
loudly
the
dog
barked
The word "barked" describes what the dog is doing, making it the action verb. It shows the physical action the subject performs. Learn more at .
Which of the following is an example of an action verb?
jump
become
is
seem
"Jump" is an action verb because it describes a physical activity. "Is" and "seem" are linking verbs, while "become" serves as a linking or inchoative verb. For distinctions between action and state verbs, visit .
Identify the action verb in "They will build a new house."
house
build
will
new
"Build" is the action verb showing the activity they will perform. "Will" is an auxiliary verb that helps form the future tense. For more on auxiliaries versus main action verbs, see .
In the sentence "The soup smells delicious," the verb "smells" functions as a:
Modal verb
Pure action verb
Auxiliary verb
Linking verb
In this sentence, "smells" links the subject to its description and does not denote an action. It is a linking verb connecting "soup" and "delicious." For more on linking verbs, visit .
In "She wrote a letter," which element is the transitive action verb?
letter
a
She
wrote
The verb "wrote" requires a direct object ("a letter") to complete its meaning, making it a transitive action verb. Transitive verbs transfer action to an object. For more on transitive verbs, see .
Choose the correct action verb to complete the sentence: "He ____ the ball over the fence."
has
threw
loud
afraid
"Threw" is the past-tense action verb meaning he propelled the ball. "Has" is an auxiliary verb, and the others are adjectives. For a list of irregular action verbs, see .
What is the past tense of "ring" when used as an action verb?
ranned
rung
ringed
rang
The correct past tense of the action verb "ring" is "rang." "Rung" is the past participle used with auxiliary verbs. For more on proper verb forms, visit .
Identify the phrasal action verb in "They called off the meeting."
called off
off
meeting
called
A phrasal verb combines a verb and one or more particles; here, "called off" means "cancelled." It functions as one semantic unit. For more on phrasal verbs, see .
In "The committee will convene tomorrow," the verb phrase "will convene" is in which tense?
Present continuous
Past simple
Present simple
Future simple
"Will convene" uses the modal auxiliary "will" plus the base verb to express a future simple tense. It indicates an action that will occur later. For tense explanations, visit .
Identify the action verb in the active sentence: "The children ate the cake."
the
cake
ate
children
The word "ate" shows the action performed by the children on the cake, making it the active action verb. Active voice places the subject before the verb. For more on active vs. passive, see .
Which sentence contains both an action verb and a linking verb?
They were excited and celebrated loudly.
She feels happy after the match.
I live in New York City.
He jumped high and ran fast.
In sentence three, "were" is a linking verb connecting subject to "excited," and "celebrated" is an action verb. The others either have only one type or none. For more on mixed verb types, see .
Identify the catenative verb in "She kept improving her performance."
improving
performance
her
kept
A catenative verb is one that links to another verb, forming a chain; "kept" here is followed by the gerund "improving." It catenates and controls the next verb. For an in-depth look at catenative verbs, see .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Dynamic Verbs -

    By the end of the action quiz, you will pinpoint dynamic verbs in various sentences, distinguishing them from stative verbs with ease.

  2. Analyze Contextual Usage -

    You will assess sentence structures in the quiz action to understand how and why certain verbs convey clear, impactful actions.

  3. Apply Action Verbs in Sentences -

    Participants will practice selecting the most compelling verbs for everyday contexts, boosting clarity and engagement in writing.

  4. Enhance Grammar Confidence -

    Through bite-sized action verbs quiz questions, you'll gain confidence in your ability to spot and use dynamic verbs correctly.

  5. Evaluate Quiz Performance -

    After completing the action verbs quiz, you can review your results to identify areas for improvement and track your progress over time.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Dynamic vs. Stative Verbs -

    Dynamic verbs describe actions you can see or sense changing over time (e.g., "run," "create"), while stative verbs express fixed states or conditions (e.g., "know," "believe"). According to Purdue University's Online Writing Lab, distinguishing them helps you choose verbs that match your intended meaning. A quick rule: if you can imagine someone performing the action continuously, it's likely dynamic!

  2. Action Verbs as Predicate Drivers -

    In English sentences, action verbs fuel the predicate by showing what the subject does or experiences (University of Michigan Writing Center). They anchor your sentence's meaning and clarify the relationship between subject and object. Spotting these verbs ensures your grammar is both precise and engaging.

  3. Techniques for Spotting Action Verbs -

    Use the "movement test": if you can visualize the subject performing an act physically or mentally, that word is an action verb (Cambridge Dictionary). For instance, in "They brainstorm solutions," "brainstorm" qualifies as dynamic. This simple trick makes identifying action verbs questions a breeze.

  4. Enhancing Writing with Vivid Verbs -

    Swapping generic verbs for vivid action verbs boosts reader engagement (Oxford English Corpus). Replace "walk" with "stride" or "eat" with "savor" to paint sharper images. Try the "Vivid Verb Vortex" mnemonic: categorize verbs by energy level (e.g., jog, sprint, bolt) to diversify your language.

  5. Mastery through Action Quizzes -

    Regularly challenge yourself with bite-sized action verbs quizzes on platforms like Cambridge English to reinforce recognition and usage. These interactive quiz action sessions offer instant feedback, helping you track progress and pinpoint areas for review. Turn every study break into a fun action quiz and watch your grammar confidence soar!

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