Verbs that can be both ACTION and LINKING verbs
There are verbs that can be linking verbs in SOME sentences, but are action verbs in other
sentences.
 One way to determine if the verb is functioning as an action verb or a linking verb is to
substitute the word “is” for the verb in question.
 If the sentence still makes sense, then it is probably a linking verb.

If the sentence would not make sense with the word “is,” then it is probably an action
verb in the sentence.
The following are examples of verbs that can be linking verbs in some sentences and action
verbs in other sentences:
look
smell
appear
prove
sound
feel
remain
taste
grow
Here are some sample sentences of verbs used as linking verbs and actions verbs.
Used as Linking Verbs
Explanation
Jane appeared uninjured after the accident.
You could substitute the word 'is,' for the
word 'appears,' and the sentence would still
make sense: "Jane is uninjured after the
accident." This lets you know that appeared
is a linking verb in this sentence.
The cake smells good!
This sentence describes the cake. “Smells”
is a linking verb in this sentence. It connects
the subject, cake, with information about
that subject—it smells good.
The woman grew silent.
This sentence may seem confusing.
Remember that the word “grow” has more
than one meaning! In this sentence, “grew”
means BECAME. The woman became silent.
Used as Action Verbs
Explanation
Before I could leave, Jane appeared.
In this sentence, appeared is not linking
anything. It is telling the action that Jane
did. She appeared, or showed up.
Ellen smells the cake.
The word, smells is not linking anything. If
you replaced smells with 'is' the sentence
would not make sense. That means smells
must be an action verb in this
sentence. Ellen performed the action of
smelling the cake.
The gardener grew some flowers.
The word, grew, is not linking two things
together here. If you tried to replace grew
with 'is' the sentence would not make sense.
This means that grew must be an action verb.
The gardener performed the action of
growing some flowers.
Verbs that can be both ACTION and LINKING verbs
There are verbs that can be linking verbs in SOME sentences, but are action verbs in other
sentences.
 One way to determine if the verb is functioning as an action verb or a linking verb is to
substitute the word “is” for the verb in question.
 If the sentence still makes sense, then it is probably a linking verb.

If the sentence would not make sense with the word “is,” then it is probably an action
verb in the sentence.
The following are examples of verbs that can be linking verbs in some sentences and action
verbs in other sentences:
look
smell
appear
prove
sound
feel
remain
taste
grow
Here are some sample sentences of verbs used as linking verbs and actions verbs.
Used as Linking Verbs
Explanation
Jane appeared uninjured after the accident.
You could substitute the word 'is,' for the
word 'appears,' and the sentence would still
make sense: "Jane is uninjured after the
accident." This lets you know that appeared
is a linking verb in this sentence.
The cake smells good!
This sentence describes the cake. “Smells”
is a linking verb in this sentence. It connects
the subject, cake, with information about
that subject—it smells good.
The woman grew silent.
This sentence may seem confusing.
Remember that the word “grow” has more
than one meaning! In this sentence, “grew”
means BECAME. The woman became silent.
Used as Action Verbs
Explanation
Before I could leave, Jane appeared.
In this sentence, appeared is not linking
anything. It is telling the action that Jane
did. She appeared, or showed up.
Ellen smells the cake.
The word, smells is not linking anything. If
you replaced smells with 'is' the sentence
would not make sense. That means smells
must be an action verb in this
sentence. Ellen performed the action of
smelling the cake.
The gardener grew some flowers.
The word, grew, is not linking two things
together here. If you tried to replace grew
with 'is' the sentence would not make sense.
This means that grew must be an action verb.
The gardener performed the action of
growing some flowers.
Now you practice:
We will play “Tag.” Complete the first set of verbs sentences and then let me check to make sure you are doing it
right. If you get approved, go on to the next section. If you get denied, then go back and check over your work.
Section 1: Tell whether the underlined verb is an action verb or a linking verb. *remember, if you are unsure replace the
verb with the word “is.” If the sentence still makes seen using “is” then that verb is being used as a linking verb.
1.
I feel my feet slipping from underneath my unstable body and suddenly my bottom meets the floor.
___________ verb
2. Her voice sounds very loud coming through the brand new speakers.
___________ verb
3. After the banana split, we decided to taste the coconut flavored cupcakes.
___________ verb
4. Darren sounded the horn so everyone would know the marching band is on their way.
___________ verb
Section 2: Write 4 sentences using one of our interchangeable verbs from the verb box. Two sentences must have
verbs functioning as linking verbs and the other 2 sentences must have verbs functioning as action verbs.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Section 3: Use the verb in the opposite way I have used it in my sentence. If I use it as an action verb then you use it
as a linking and vice versa.
1. Sometimes in my dreams, talking unicorns appear and we go on a wild adventure.
Your turn:
2. During the movie, as the hit man approached the front door, the theatre grew curious as to whether the main
character would survive this final attack.
Your turn:
3. Before basketball season was over, he proved his commitment to the team.
Your turn:
Now you practice:
We will play “Tag.” Complete the first set of verbs sentences and then let me check to make sure you are doing it
right. If you get approved, go on to the next section. If you get denied, then go back and check over your work.
Section 1: Tell whether the underlined verb is an action verb or a linking verb. *remember, if you are unsure replace the
verb with the word “is.” If the sentence still makes seen using “is” then that verb is being used as a linking verb.
1.
I feel my feet slipping from underneath my unstable body and suddenly my bottom meets the floor.
___________ verb
2. Her voice sounds very loud coming through the brand new speakers.
___________ verb
3. After the banana split, we decided to taste the coconut flavored cupcakes.
___________ verb
4. Darren sounded the horn so everyone would know the marching band is on their way.
___________ verb
Section 2: Write 4 sentences using one of our interchangeable verbs from the verb box. Two sentences must have
verbs functioning as linking verbs and the other 2 sentences must have verbs functioning as action verbs.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Section 3: Use the verb in the opposite way I have used it in my sentence. If I use it as an action verb then you use it
as a linking and vice versa.
1. Sometimes in my dreams, talking unicorns appear and we go on a wild adventure.
Your turn:
2. During the movie, as the hit man approached the front door, the theatre grew curious as to whether the main
character would survive this final attack.
Your turn:
3. Before basketball season was over, he proved his commitment to the team.
Your turn: