Here's the breakdown:
* Linking Verbs: These verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a word or phrase that renames or describes the subject. Common linking verbs include "be" (am, is, are, was, were, being, been), "seem," "appear," "become," "feel," "look," "smell," "taste," and "sound."
* Predicate Nominative: This is a noun or pronoun that renames the subject of a sentence. It follows a linking verb and is in the nominative (subject) case.
Example:
* My friend is a doctor.
* "My friend" is the subject.
* "is" is the linking verb.
* "doctor" is the predicate nominative because it renames "my friend."
Key Difference:
* Action Verbs: Describe an action performed by the subject.
* Linking Verbs: Connect the subject to a word or phrase that describes or renames the subject.
Therefore, a predicate nominative always follows a linking verb, not an action verb.