Action vs. Linking Verbs By: Silas Cosby

Pre-Teaching Activity 1.What is a linking verb? 2.What is an action verb? 3.What is the difference between the two? 4.Name 3 linking verbs. 5.Name 3 action verbs.

Answers 1.A verb that links the subject with the predicate in a sentence. (Sometimes referred to as a copula) 2.A verb that shows the action of the subject in the sentence. Expresses thoughts and actions. 3.A linking verb only connects the subject and predicate, while an action verb shows what the subject is doing. 4.Are, be, seen, look, was, etc. 5.Jumped, ran, build, accomplish, etc.

Action verbs An action verb is a verb that shows what the subject of the sentence is doing. An action verb is a verb that shows what the subject of the sentence is doing. Some action verbs are eat, sleep, play, tackle, etc. Some action verbs are eat, sleep, play, tackle, etc. Example: Example: Billy draws in his new sketchpad.Billy draws in his new sketchpad. The action verb is draws because that is what Billy is doing.The action verb is draws because that is what Billy is doing.

Linking verbs (Copula) A linking verb is a verb that connects the subject of the sentence with the predicate.A linking verb is a verb that connects the subject of the sentence with the predicate. Some linking verbs are is, being, were, etc.Some linking verbs are is, being, were, etc. Example:Example: The cat is attacking mice because it is fun.The cat is attacking mice because it is fun. Is is the linking verb because it is connecting the cat with the verb attacking. Is is the linking verb because it is connecting the cat with the verb attacking.

To be linking verbs The “to be” linking verbs are seen the most often in sentences.The “to be” linking verbs are seen the most often in sentences. The “to be” linking verbs are:The “to be” linking verbs are: IsIs AmAm AreAre WasWas WereWere BeBe BeingBeing BeenBeen

Action, or linking? Even though a verb might look to be an action verb, it could possibly be a linking verb.Even though a verb might look to be an action verb, it could possibly be a linking verb. The type of verb is changed from an action verb to a linking verb when the verb renames or describes the subject.The type of verb is changed from an action verb to a linking verb when the verb renames or describes the subject. Action Verb Example:Action Verb Example: The nice boy looks for a game.The nice boy looks for a game. Linking Verb Example:Linking Verb Example: The boy searching for a game looks nice.The boy searching for a game looks nice. This looks is describing the boy which makes it a linking verb, while the other looks is telling hat the boy is doing.

Action, or linking cont. Some verbs that can be used as an action or linking verb are:Some verbs that can be used as an action or linking verb are: FeelFeel TasteTaste LookLook SmellSmell AppearAppear GrowGrow RemainRemain StayStay TurnTurn SeemSeem SoundSound BecomeBecome ProveProve Not used as only an action or linking verb. They can be used as BOTH!!!!