Action Verb: When "tried" describes a specific action, it's an action verb.
* Example: "I tried to open the door." (The action is "trying to open the door").
Linking Verb: When "tried" connects the subject to a state of being or condition, it's a linking verb.
* Example: "The cake tasted tried." (The word "tried" links the subject "cake" to the state of being "tried").
To determine whether "tried" is an action verb or a linking verb, look at the rest of the sentence. Is there a direct object (something being acted upon)? If so, it's likely an action verb. If not, it's likely a linking verb.