What is the difference between action verbs and linking verbs?

The fundamental difference between action verbs and linking verbs lies in their function: action verbs describe an action performed by the subject, while linking verbs connect the subject to information that describes or renames it.

Understanding Action Verbs

Action verbs express an action that the subject of the sentence performs. This action can be physical or mental. They tell you what the subject does.

• Definition: They describe actions being taken by the subject.
• Characteristics:
  • They often answer the question "What did the subject do?"
  • They can be transitive (taking a direct object) or intransitive (not taking a direct object).
• Examples:
  • Physical actions: run, jump, eat, write, sing, dance.
  • Mental actions: think, believe, consider, understand, remember, hope.

In a sentence:

• She sings beautifully. (The action verb "sings" describes what "she" does.)
• He thought about the problem. (The action verb "thought" describes a mental action performed by "he".)
• The dog chased the ball. (The action verb "chased" describes the physical action of "the dog".)

Understanding Linking Verbs

Linking verbs, also known as copulas, do not express action. Instead, they serve as a bridge, connecting the subject of a sentence to a word or phrase that identifies, describes, or renames the subject. This word or phrase is called a subject complement (either a predicate noun or a predicate adjective).

• Definition: They connect the subject noun to a predicate noun or adjective.
• Characteristics:
  • They answer the question "What is the subject like?" or "What is the subject?"
  • They link the subject to a state of being, an identity, or a quality.
  • They are often forms of the verb "to be" or verbs related to the senses or conditions.
• Common Linking Verbs:
  • Forms of "to be": am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been
  • Sensory verbs: feel, look, smell, sound, taste
  • Verbs of condition: appear, become, grow, remain, seem, stay, turn

In a sentence:

• She is a doctor. ("is" links "She" to the predicate noun "doctor", identifying her profession.)
• The soup tastes delicious. ("tastes" links "The soup" to the predicate adjective "delicious", describing its quality.)
• He became an engineer. ("became" links "He" to the predicate noun "engineer", showing what he transformed into.)
• The sky looked gloomy. ("looked" links "The sky" to the predicate adjective "gloomy", describing its appearance.)

Key Differences Summarized

Here's a concise overview of the distinctions between action verbs and linking verbs:

How to Identify Them

To distinguish between action and linking verbs, consider these tests:

• The "Action Test": Can the subject literally do the verb? If so, it's likely an action verb. (e.g., Can you "run"? Yes. Can you "be"? Not an action.)
• The "Replacement Test" (for linking verbs): Try replacing the verb with a form of to be (e.g., is, are, was). If the sentence still makes sense and retains its core meaning, the verb is likely a linking verb.
  • The soup tastes delicious. → The soup is delicious. (Makes sense, "tastes" is linking.)
  • He runs quickly. → He is quickly. (Doesn't make sense, "runs" is action.)
• Look for Subject Complements: If the word following the verb describes or renames the subject, the verb is almost certainly a linking verb.

It's important to note that some verbs, like feel, look, smell, sound, and taste, can function as either action or linking verbs depending on the context.

• Action: She smelled the roses. (She performed the action of smelling.)
• Linking: The roses smelled sweet. (The roses were described as sweet, "smelled" links "roses" to "sweet".)

Understanding this distinction is crucial for proper sentence construction and grammar.