Chapter 7:
Diagramming Verb Types - Part 2

You have already learned how to diagram two of the four verb types:

• intransitive complete
• transitive active

With the following exercises, you will learn about diagramming the last two:

• transitive passive
• intransitive linking

You can do this! The answers are at the bottom of the page.

* You can also download the 70 page PDF ebook with all 10 chapters of instructions, exercises, and answer keys. It's perfect for homeschool and classroom teachers and students.

7.0 Diagramming Passive Verbs

Directions: After reading the mini lesson, diagram the following sentences.

In all of the verb types that you have diagrammed so far, the subject has done the action. In passive verbs, the subject receives the action.

Example:

Candle, the subject of the sentence, is receiving the action. It is being lit. Notice that we don't know who lit the candle. Many times, the doer of a passive sentence will be in a prepositional phrase.

Example:

Now we know who lit the candle. The doer of the action, Joe, is found in the prepositional phrase, by Joe.

Notice also that the verbs in passive sentences always have a helping verb was and the past participle form of the main verb (lit).

For more information see this page.

Example: The ball was kicked by the baby.

1. The book was written by Stephanie Meyer.

2. The victory was celebrated by the winners.

3. The plant in the corner was watered by the housekeeper.

4. The smoke alarm was turned off by the firefighter.

5. Talkative children are scolded by the principal.

7.1 Diagramming Linking Verbs

Directions: After reading the mini lesson, diagram the following sentences.

Linking verbs, the fourth and final verb type, link the subject to either a noun that renames it or an adjective that describes it.

Examples:

Was is a linking verb connecting the subject, candle, with the adjective bright. Bright describes the candle.

Is is a linking verb connecting the subject, Mrs. Johnson, with the noun teacher. Teacher renames Mrs. Johnson.

For more information, see this page about linking verbs.

There are only 13 linking verbs. See them here.

Examples: The baby is cute. The baby is a boy.

1. I will be a great musician.

2. Mmmm! The chili smells absolutely delicious!

3. My dad became very happy at Disneyland.

4. This bed feels soft.

5. After tomorrow, Grace will be a college graduate.

Answers!

7.0 Diagramming Passive Verbs

7.1 Diagramming Linking Verbs

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Learn Grammar the Easy Way: Diagramming Sentences