Action Verbs vs. Linking Verbs: What's the Difference for 2nd Grade?

Question

Hey everyone! 👋 My little sister is in 2nd grade, and she's learning about verbs. She keeps asking, 'What's the difference between an action verb and a linking verb?' I remember this being a bit tricky! Can you help explain it super clearly, maybe with some easy examples for her? It would be awesome to have a simple way to tell them apart! 🍎

kylie_dalton · Accepted Answer

📚 Understanding Action Verbs vs. Linking Verbs for 2nd Grade!

Learning about verbs is a super important step in becoming a great reader and writer! Don't worry, we'll make the difference between action verbs and linking verbs crystal clear for you!

🏃‍♀️ What are Action Verbs?

Imagine doing something! An action verb is a word that shows what someone or something is doing. It's like a little movie in your mind where you see movement or an activity!

✍️ Shows an action: These verbs tell us what the subject does.
🗣️ Physical or mental: Actions can be things you do with your body (like run, jump) or things you do with your mind (like think, wonder).
🍎 Examples: The dog ran fast. She eats an apple. I think about my friends.

🔗 What are Linking Verbs?

Unlike action verbs, linking verbs don't show action. Instead, they connect the subject of a sentence to more information about it. They link the subject to a noun or adjective that describes or renames it.

🌟 Connects ideas: Linking verbs are like a bridge, connecting the subject to words that describe or identify it.
🤔 No action shown: You can't "do" a linking verb. It just tells you "what is" or "what seems."
💡 Common linking verbs: The most common linking verb is "to be" (am, is, are, was, were). Other linking verbs include look, feel, smell, sound, taste, grow, appear, become, remain, seem.
🧩 Examples: She is happy. The soup tastes good. He became a doctor.

⚖️ Action Verbs vs. Linking Verbs: A Side-by-Side Look!

Let's see how they compare:

Category	Action Verbs	Linking Verbs
🎯 Main Job	Shows what the subject does (an action).	Connects the subject to a word that describes or renames it.
🏃‍♀️ Movement?	Yes, often implies physical or mental activity.	No, they do not show movement or action.
🧠 What it tells you	What the subject performs.	What the subject is, was, or seems.
🗣️ Key Question	"What is the subject doing?"	"What is the subject like?" or "What is the subject?"
📝 Examples	run, jump, eat, sing, think, write	am, is, are, was, were, seem, feel, look, taste

🔑 Key Takeaways for 2nd Graders!

✅ Action = Doing! If you can "do" the verb, it's an action verb.
💡 Linking = Being! If the verb connects the subject to a description, it's a linking verb.
🚦 The "is" Test: For verbs like look, feel, smell, taste, sound, try replacing them with "is" or "are." If the sentence still makes sense and sounds right, it's probably a linking verb! (e.g., The flower smells sweet. → The flower is sweet.)
💯 Practice makes perfect! The more you read and write, the easier it will be to spot them!