Verbs are an essential part of the English language, and they can be broadly categorized into two types: action verbs and linking verbs. While action verbs express actions, linking verbs connect the subject to additional information about its state or condition. In this guide, we will discuss linking verbs in detail, their characteristics, usage, and differences from action verbs. We will also provide practice questions with answers to help you test your understanding of linking verbs.
Characteristics of Linking Verbs:
Linking verbs connect the subject to additional information about its state or condition. They do not express actions like action verbs. Some linking verbs are stative, describing a state of being or condition, such as “be” and “seem”. Others can also be used as non-stative linking verbs in certain contexts, such as “get” and “turn”.
Usage of Linking Verbs:
Linking verbs are commonly used in everyday language to describe the state or condition of the subject. They can also be used as predicate nominatives or predicate adjectives. A predicate nominative renames or identifies the subject, while a predicate adjective describes the subject.
Differences from Action Verbs:
Linking verbs and action verbs differ in their function. While linking verbs connect the subject to additional information, action verbs express actions. For example, “She walked to the store” uses an action verb, while “She seems tired” uses a linking verb.
Practice Questions:
- Identify the linking verb in the following sentence: “The coffee smells amazing.”
- Is “appear” a linking verb in the sentence, “She appeared confident during her presentation”?
- Name three linking verbs that are always used as linking verbs in English.
- What is the difference between a linking verb and an action verb?
- In the sentence, “The sun feels warm on my skin”, is “feels” a linking verb or an action verb?
- Write a sentence using a non-stative linking verb.
- Identify the predicate nominative in the following sentence: “My favorite color is blue.”
- Is “grow” a linking verb in the sentence, “The plants are growing quickly”?
- Write a sentence using a stative linking verb.
- In the sentence, “He seems tired today”, is “seems” a linking verb or an action verb?
Answers:
- The linking verb in the sentence is “smells”.
- Yes, “appear” is a linking verb in the sentence.
- The three linking verbs that are always used as linking verbs in English are “be”, “seem”, and “become”.
- The main difference between a linking verb and an action verb is that a linking verb connects the subject to additional information, while an action verb expresses an action.
- “Feels” is a linking verb in the sentence.
- Example of a sentence using a non-stative linking verb: “The sky turned pink during the sunset.”
- The predicate nominative in the sentence is “blue”.
- Yes, “grow” is a linking verb in the sentence.
- Example of a sentence using a stative linking verb: “The ocean smells salty and refreshing.”
- “Seems” is a linking verb in the sentence.
By understanding the characteristics and usage of linking verbs, you can improve your writing and communication skills. By identifying linking verbs in sentences, you can construct
