Verbs: Level 2: Distinguishing Action and Linking Verbs

What is a linking verb?

A word that connects the subject to the rest of the sentence.

What is an action verb?

A word that shows an action

What is a verb?

A word that shows an action, or links the subject to the rest of the sentence

Identify the capitalized verb as an action verb or linking verb: "Carlos WATCHED the huge whales swimming next to the ship"

Action Carlos watched, that is something you can do

Identify the capitalized verb as an action verb or linking verb: "In the library and at church, Michele GIGGLES inappropriately"

Action Giggling is something that Michele does.

Identify the capitalized verb as an action verb or linking verb: "During the summer, my poodle constantly PANTS and DROOLS."

Action Panting and drooling is something an animal/person can do

Identify the capitalized verb as an action verb or linking verb: "Chris TASTED the crunchy, honey-roasted grasshopper"

Action Tasting is something you can do

Identify the capitalized verb as an action verb or linking verb: "I SMELL the delicious aroma of grilled octopus"

Action You can smell, that is an action.

Identify the capitalized verb as an action verb or linking verb: "Theo's overworked computer EXPLODED in a spray of sparks"

Action You cannot substitute am, is, or are for the verb, therefore it is not a linking verb, and must be an action verb.

Identify the capitalized verb as an action verb or linking verb: "The students LOOKED at the equation until their brains hurt"

Action Looking is something that can be done

What is a trick to tell linking verbs from action verbs?

If you can substitute am, is, or are for the verb and the sentence still makes sentence it is a LINKING verb.

Identify the capitalized verb as an action verb or linking verb: "Godzilla APPEARED happy to see me"

Linking Appeared connects Godzilla to his state of mind, happiness.

Identify the capitalized verb as an action verb or linking verb: "After receiving another failing grade in algebra, Jose BECAME depressed."

Linking Became connects the subject, Jose, to something about him

Identify the capitalized verb as an action verb or linking verb: "At restaurants, Rami always FEELS angry after waiting an hour for a bad meal."

Linking Feels connects Rami to his state of being, anger.

Identify the capitalized verb as an action verb or linking verb: "Francisco's comic book collection IS worth $20,000.

Linking Is, connects the comic book collection to its worth.

Identify the capitalized verb as an action verb or linking verb: "A three-mile run seems like a marathon during a hot, humid July afternoon"

Linking Seems connects a three-mile run, to the fact that it's harder when it's hot.

Identify the capitalized verb as an action verb or linking verb: "During bad storms, trailer parks ARE often magnets for tornadoes"

Linking This word is connecting the subject- trailer parks- to the rest of the sentence

Identify the underlined verb as an action verb or linking verb: "The aroma of the grilled octopus SMELLS appetizing"

Linking You can substitute smells for is and it still makes sense!

Identify the capitalized verb as an action verb or linking verb: "The crunchy, honey-roasted grasshopper TASTED good"

Linking You can substitute tasted for is and it makes sense!

Identify the capitalized verb as an action verb or linking verb: "Mario IS a computer hacker."

Linking "is" is not an action. It connects the subject, Mario, to information about him.