Difference Between Action And Linking Verbs

The Crucial Difference Between Action and Linking Verbs: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding the difference between action and linking verbs is fundamental to mastering English grammar. This distinction impacts sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, and overall clarity. While seemingly simple, the nuances can be tricky, particularly when dealing with verbs that can function as both action and linking verbs depending on context. This comprehensive guide will delve into the core distinctions, provide clear examples, and equip you with the knowledge to confidently identify and utilize these crucial grammatical elements.

What is an Action Verb?

An action verb describes an action performed by the subject of the sentence. It shows what the subject is doing. These verbs are dynamic, expressing movement, activity, or a change of state.

Examples of Action Verbs:

• Physical Actions: run, jump, swim, eat, sleep, write, build, sing, dance

• Mental Actions: think, believe, understand, remember, forget, consider, analyze

• Transitive vs. Intransitive: Action verbs can be further categorized as transitive or intransitive. Transitive verbs require a direct object (the receiver of the action), while intransitive verbs do not.

  • Transitive: She wrote a letter. (Letter = direct object)
  • Intransitive: The bird flew away. (No direct object)

Identifying Action Verbs:

Ask yourself: "What is the subject doing?" If the answer describes a specific action, you've identified an action verb.

What is a Linking Verb?

A linking verb connects the subject of the sentence to a subject complement, which provides more information about the subject. It doesn't describe an action; instead, it establishes a state of being, a condition, or a relationship between the subject and the complement.

Common Linking Verbs:

The most common linking verb is "to be" in all its forms (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been). However, many other verbs can function as linking verbs depending on context. These include:

• Verbs of sensation: feel, smell, taste, sound, look
• Verbs of appearance: appear, seem, become, grow, remain, stay

Examples of Linking Verbs:

• She is a doctor. (Is links the subject "She" to the subject complement "a doctor.")
• The soup tastes delicious. (Tastes links the subject "soup" to the subject complement "delicious.")
• He became a successful entrepreneur. (Became links the subject "He" to the subject complement "a successful entrepreneur.")

Identifying Linking Verbs:

Ask yourself: "Does the verb describe an action, or does it connect the subject to a description or state of being?" If the verb connects the subject to a description or state, it's likely a linking verb. The presence of a subject complement (an adjective, noun, or noun phrase describing the subject) is a strong indicator of a linking verb.

The Gray Area: Verbs That Can Be Both Action and Linking Verbs

Several verbs can act as either action verbs or linking verbs, depending on their role within the sentence. The key to distinguishing their function lies in analyzing the relationship between the verb and the words that follow it.

Examples of Verbs with Dual Functionality:

• Appear:

  • Action Verb: The magician appeared from behind the curtain. (Describes an action: appearing)
  • Linking Verb: He appeared nervous during the interview. (Links the subject "He" to the subject complement "nervous.")

• Feel:

  • Action Verb: I feel the fabric's softness. (Describes an action: feeling)
  • Linking Verb: I feel happy today. (Links the subject "I" to the subject complement "happy.")

• Look:

  • Action Verb: They looked for their lost keys. (Describes an action: looking)
  • Linking Verb: She looks tired. (Links the subject "She" to the subject complement "tired.")

• Smell:

  • Action Verb: The dog smelled the delicious food. (Describes an action: smelling)
  • Linking Verb: The flowers smell lovely. (Links the subject "flowers" to the subject complement "lovely.")

• Sound:

  • Action Verb: He sounded the alarm. (Describes an action: sounding)
  • Linking Verb: The speaker's argument sounded unconvincing. (Links the subject "argument" to the subject complement "unconvincing.")

• Taste:

  • Action Verb: She tasted the spicy curry. (Describes an action: tasting)
  • Linking Verb: The cake tasted wonderful. (Links the subject "cake" to the subject complement "wonderful.")

• Become:

  • Linking Verb: He became a doctor. (Links the subject "He" to the subject complement "a doctor.")

To determine if these verbs are functioning as action or linking verbs, examine the words following the verb. If the word is a noun or adjective describing the subject, the verb is a linking verb. If the word is something else (like an adverb or a prepositional phrase that is not describing the subject), the verb is an action verb.

Subject-Verb Agreement with Linking Verbs

Subject-verb agreement remains crucial even with linking verbs. The verb's form must agree with the number (singular or plural) of the subject.

• Singular Subject: The cat is fluffy.
• Plural Subject: The cats are fluffy.

Practical Application and Exercises

Identifying action and linking verbs accurately enhances writing clarity and grammatical correctness. Here are some exercises to practice:

Exercise 1: Identify whether the underlined verb is an action verb or a linking verb:

1. The flowers smell sweet.
2. The chef tasted the soup.
3. The music sounds beautiful.
4. The dog ran through the park.
5. He became a renowned artist.
6. She felt the rough texture.
7. The clouds look dark.
8. The singer sang a powerful ballad.
9. The cake tasted delicious.
10. The old house stood on the hill.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the following sentences, changing the underlined verb to either an action verb or a linking verb, depending on the desired meaning:

1. The food tastes spicy. (Change to an action verb)
2. The actor appeared nervous. (Change to an action verb)
3. The child felt scared. (Change to an action verb)
4. She grew tired. (Change to an action verb)
5. They looked at the sunset. (Change to a linking verb – think of a way to describe the sunset)

Answer Key (Exercise 1):

1. Linking Verb
2. Action Verb
3. Linking Verb
4. Action Verb
5. Linking Verb
6. Action Verb
7. Linking Verb
8. Action Verb
9. Linking Verb
10. Linking Verb

By consistently practicing identification and applying the rules, you’ll develop a strong understanding of the distinctions between action and linking verbs, significantly improving your grammar skills and written communication. Remember, the context of the sentence is key in determining the function of a verb.