Verbs play an essential role in every sentence, especially when understanding the difference between action verbs and linking verbs. These words represent actions, situations, or happenings. Yet, verbs don’t all serve the same purpose. In English grammar, we mainly distinguish between action verbs and linking verbs. While they both serve important functions in a sentence, they differ in how they are used. In this blog post, we’ll explore action verbs vs linking verbs, explain how to identify them, and provide examples to help you use them correctly.
What Are Action Verbs?
These verbs describe what the subject is doing, whether it’s something you can observe, like jumping or running, or something happening inside the mind, like thinking or dreaming. We call them action verbs because they show some kind of action taking place.
Examples of Action Verbs
- Jump: She jumped over the fence.
- Run: They run every morning.
- Think: I think about my family often.
- Write: He wrote a letter.
From the examples, it’s evident that action verbs highlight movement or internal thought. They are typically the verbs that make the sentence dynamic and help the reader visualize the action taking place.
What Are Linking Verbs?
Linking verbs, on the other hand, do not show action. These verbs serve to attach the subject to supplementary details regarding its state or condition. The most common linking verb is “to be” in its various forms (am, is, are, was, were, etc.), but other verbs like seem, feel, and appear can also be linking verbs.
Examples of Linking Verbs:
- Is: She is happy.
- Was: The weather was nice yesterday.
- Seems: The food seems delicious.
- Feel: He feels tired after the workout.
These verbs don’t show action but instead connect the subject to a description or condition. Typically, the complement (the word that follows the linking verb) serves as a noun or adjective that identifies or describes the subject.
Read More:
- 8 Simple Types of Verbs in English Grammar and with Clear Examples
- Using Articles A, An, The – A Simple Guide to Learn Prepositions Better
Key Differences Between Action Verbs and Linking Verbs
Understanding the difference between action verbs vs linking verbs is crucial for both learners and educators of English grammar. Here are some key differences:
1. Function:
- Action Verbs: Show what the subject is doing. They express action.
- Linking Verbs: Connect the subject with something that describes or defines it. They do not express action.
2. What Follows the Verb:
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Action Verbs: Often have a direct object (something or someone the action is being done to).
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Example: She kicked the ball.
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Linking Verbs: Are followed, in most cases, by a descriptive term—like a noun or adjective—that tells us more about the subject.
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Example: He is a teacher. (Linking verb + noun)
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Example: She seems tired. (Linking verb + adjective)
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3. Examples in Context:
- Action Verbs: I run every morning.
- Linking Verbs: He feels tired after a long day.
How to Identify Action Verbs vs Linking Verbs
It can sometimes be tricky to differentiate between action verbs vs linking verbs, especially because some verbs can function as both, depending on the context. For example, “feel” can be categorized as either an action verb or a linking verb, depending on the context.
Action Verb Example:
- I feel the rain on my skin. (Here, feel is an action verb because it describes something the subject is physically doing.)
Linking Verb Example:
- I feel happy today. (In this case, feel is a linking verb because it connects the subject “I” to the adjective “happy,” describing the subject’s state.)
To identify which type of verb you’re dealing with, ask yourself whether the verb shows an action or connects the subject to more information about itself (like a state, condition, or description).
Common Linking Verbs to Look Out For
While “to be” is the most commonly used linking verb, there are several others that can act as linking verbs in sentences. Here are a few:
- Be (is, am, are, was, were)
- Become
- Seem
- Appear
- Feel
- Look
- Taste
- Sound
- Smell
- Grow
These verbs will often be followed by adjectives or nouns that describe the subject, linking the subject to those descriptions.
Why It’s Important to Know the Difference
Understanding the difference between action verbs vs linking verbs can help you build clearer, more accurate sentences. It allows you to:
- Improve your sentence structure.
- Use verbs correctly based on their function.
- Avoid confusion, especially with verbs that can be either action or linking verbs depending on the context.
Conclusion
In summary, action verbs vs linking verbs are two different types of verbs that play distinct roles in English sentences. Action verbs express what the subject is doing, while linking verbs connect the subject to additional information that describes its state or condition. By recognizing these differences, you can use both types of verbs correctly and create more precise and effective sentences in your writing and speaking.
Next time you’re crafting a sentence, take a moment to identify whether you need an action verb or a linking verb. This simple step can make a big difference in how you express ideas in English!