Verbs: Action vs. Linking
Learning Objectives:
 Students will be able to understand and identify action and linking verbs in
context.
 Students will be able to correctly use action and linking verbs in their writing.
A verb is a part of speech that is used to express action, a condition, or a state of
being.
An Action Verb tells what the subject is doing by expressing either physical or mental
action.
The student walks to class. (physical action)
The student raises his hand to answer a question. (physical action)
The student enjoys class. (mental action)
The student believes class is interesting. (mental action)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------A Linking Verb connects the subject of the sentence (usually coming before the verb)
to another word in the predicate (usually following the verb).
The most common linking verbs are forms of the verb be:
am, is, was, were, be, being, been
Cole is a wonderful addition to the Major family.
I am happy.
Other common Linking Verbs that express condition include:
appear, become, feel, grow, look, remain, smell, sound, taste
She feels ready to explode.
It appears to be another normal day.
Hint… when it is difficult to tell if a verb is being used as an action or a linking verb, remember this trick:
Replace the verb with “is” or some other form of the verb “be.” If the sentence still makes sense, the verb
is probably a linking verb.
Practice: Indicate whether the boldfaced verb is an action or a linking verb.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The sky suddenly turned cloudy.
The athlete looked like he had run a marathon.
He remembered the formula at the last minute.
As their nature requires, wolves roam the woods looking for food.
The stew simmering on the stove smelled delicious.
* Refer to pages 92 – 94 in your text for additional examples and further explanation.