Here's a breakdown:
* Action Verbs: These verbs describe an action being performed. They typically require a direct object to receive the action.
* Example: "The dog chased the ball." (Chase is the action verb, ball is the direct object receiving the action of chasing.)
* Linking Verbs: These verbs connect the subject to a noun or adjective that renames or describes the subject. They don't show action, but rather a state of being or a condition.
* Example: "The cat is fluffy." (Is is a linking verb, fluffy is the subject complement describing the cat.)
Direct objects only complement action verbs because they are the receivers of the action. Linking verbs don't express action, so they don't have direct objects. Instead, they are followed by subject complements (nouns or adjectives that rename or describe the subject).