Linking Verbs
* Function: Connect the subject of a sentence to a word that renames or describes the subject. They don't show an action.
* Examples: *be* (am, is, are, was, were, been, being), *become*, *seem*, *appear*, *feel*, *look*, *sound*, *smell*, *taste*, *grow*, *remain*, *stay*.
* What they tell you: The state of being or condition of the subject.
* Sentence Structure: Subject + Linking Verb + Subject Complement (a noun or adjective that provides more information about the subject)
Examples:
* The sky is blue. (The linking verb "is" connects the subject "sky" to the adjective "blue," which describes the sky.)
* She feels happy. (The linking verb "feels" connects the subject "she" to the adjective "happy," which describes her state of being.)
* He became a doctor. (The linking verb "became" connects the subject "he" to the noun "doctor," which renames him.)
Action Verbs
* Function: Show an action that the subject performs.
* Examples: *run*, *jump*, *eat*, *sleep*, *write*, *read*, *speak*, *sing*, *play*, *build*, *destroy*.
* What they tell you: What the subject is doing.
* Sentence Structure: Subject + Action Verb + (Object)
Examples:
* The dog barked at the mailman. (The action verb "barked" shows what the dog did.)
* She wrote a letter. (The action verb "wrote" shows what she did, and "letter" is the object of the action.)
* They are singing a song. (The action verb "singing" shows what they are doing, and "song" is the object of the action.)
Key Differences
* Action: Action verbs express an action, while linking verbs describe a state of being or condition.
* Subject Complement: Linking verbs are always followed by a subject complement, which renames or describes the subject. Action verbs may have an object, but don't require one.
* Sentence Structure: The structure of sentences with linking verbs differs from those with action verbs.
Tip: If you can substitute "is" or "seems" for the verb and the sentence still makes sense, it's likely a linking verb.