Action Verbs
* Definition: Action verbs describe an action that a subject is performing. They show something happening.
* Examples:
* Run: The dog runs through the park.
* Jump: The children jump on the trampoline.
* Write: She writes a letter to her friend.
Linking Verbs
* Definition: Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a noun, pronoun, or adjective that describes or renames the subject. They don't show action, but they link the subject to a state of being or condition.
* Examples:
* Be: The cat is sleepy. (Sleepy describes the cat)
* Appear: The sky appears blue. (Blue describes the sky)
* Feel: I feel happy. (Happy describes how I feel)
* Become: The caterpillar will become a butterfly. (Butterfly renames the caterpillar)
Key Differences:
| Feature | Action Verb | Linking Verb |
|---|---|---|
| Action | Shows an action | Doesn't show action |
| Connection | Doesn't connect subject to description | Connects subject to description |
| Example | "She *walks* quickly." | "He *is* tired." |
Common Linking Verbs:
* Be (am, is, are, was, were, being, been)
* Appear
* Become
* Feel
* Look
* Remain
* Seem
* Smell
* Sound
* Taste
Tricky Situation: Some verbs can act as both action and linking verbs depending on how they are used in the sentence.
* Example:
* Action: She *looks* for her keys. (She is performing the action of looking)
* Linking: She *looks* tired. (Tired describes how she looks)
In summary, action verbs are the verbs that tell us what the subject is doing, while linking verbs connect the subject to a description of its state or condition.