Action vs Linking Verbs
Languages are versatile things. They can be used to convey any idea in any amount of intensity required. For this, one requires many grammatical components. English language in particular is no different. Action verbs and linking verbs are two such forms of words that are thus used to convey desired effects when it comes to day to day parlance. However, the two verbs can be easily confused, and knowing the difference between action and linking verbs can be useful when using them for writing purposes.
What are Action Verbs?
An action verb can be defined as a verb that conveys an action a person, an animal, a force of nature, etc. is capable of doing. It describes an activity that goes on at any given time. Most action verbs are defined as transitive or intransitive. Transitive verbs are used with a direct object while intransitive verbs do not require a direct object. Some examples are given below.
Transitive verbs:
I will eat the pie once it has cooled down.
My mother is going to make lasagna tonight.
She ate the apple without a second thought.
The above action verbs are directly linked with an object. Hence, they are called transitive action verbs.
Intransitive verbs:
She sneezed every five minutes.
My brother is playing in the garden.
She ran when she saw the robbers.
The above verbs do not require a direct object in order to complete the sentence. Therefore, they are named as intransitive action verbs.
What are Linking Verbs?
Linking verbs can be defined as verbs that link or connect two or more words together to compose a sentence or phrase. Linking verbs connect a subject to its predicate without expressing an action. Some examples are given below.
Kate is a beautiful girl.
In the above sentence, is is the linking verb that connects Kate to additional information about her.
Dogs are loyal creatures.
Are is the linking verb in the above. Are is not something that the dogs can do and, therefore, it does not convey an action.
I always feel sleepy in the morning.
Feel is the linking verb is here. It is not something that one actively participates in.
What is the difference between Action Verbs and Linking Verbs?
Action verbs and linking verbs are both extremely useful components in the English language. While they can be easily confused, knowing the difference between the action verbs and linking verbs can be useful when using them for writing purposes.
• An action verb conveys an action. A linking verb does not convey an action.
• An action verb is something that an individual, an animal or a natural phenomenon can do. A linking verb merely links the subject with whatever additional information is available without conveying an action.
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