Linking Verbs and Action Verbs

Verbs  A verb is a word used to express action or a state of being. 1)Main verbs are either action or linking verbs

Linking Verbs  A linking verb connects the subject to a word or word group that renames or describes the subject.

Examples  The apple looks rotten.  “Looks” links the subject (apple) to the adjective (rotten): rotten = apple  John is one of the great scientists in our area.  “Is” links the subject (John) to the adjective (one): John = one  The flowers smell good.  “Smell” links the subject (flowers) to the adjective (good): flowers = good

Linking Verbs  To find out if a verb is an action or linking verb substitute a form of be in for the verb. If the sentence still makes sense, it is usually a linking verb. If the sentence doesn’t make sense, it is usually an action verb.  Example: The ice cream tastes delicious.  Substitute a form of be: The ice cream is delicious.  Example: She tasted the ice cream.  Substitute a form of be: She is the ice cream. *{Forms of be and seem are always linking verbs.}

Commonly Used Linking Verbs  Forms of Be:  Other Linking Verbs: ambebeingwas arebeeniswere appeargrowseemstaybecomelooksmelltaste feelremainsoundturn

Action vs. Linking Verbs  An action verb is a verb that expresses either physical or mental activity.

Action vs. Linking Verb Examples  Joe plays baseball. Joe is baseball. (the sentence does not make sense …plays is an action verb )  The roses look pretty.  The roses are pretty. (the sentence makes sense, so it is a linking verb)  When a verb is a linking verb, you can tell because the predicate noun or predicate adjective that follows it renames or describes the subject.

Practice What are the linking verbs in the following sentences and what do they connect?  The spectacular ocean appears calm today.  The Wright Brothers are famous for inventing the plane.

More Practice  The music sounds catchy.  The park seems crowded.

Even More Practice  Jerry tasted the banana split.  Action verb  The banana split is tasty.  Linking verb  Jerry then traveled to the park.  Action verb  The park looks pretty.  Linking verb