Actors memorize all of their lines. The crew makes all the scenery and props. Camera operators film all the exciting scenes and dramatic moments. Stunt people perform dangerous antics. The producer manages the entire project. Everybody has a job that they must do. Instead, we are going to learn a bit more about all the exciting words that we used to describe the work that goes on behind the scenes.
All of these words are verbs , which are used to express actions or states of beings. While there are many types of verbs that we use in sentences and clauses, we are going to shine the spotlight on the verbs that really want to be action stars: action verbs. An action verb is a verb that expresses something that a person, animal, object, or process in nature such as a storm can do rather than expressing a state of being.
What exactly does this mean? In this sentence, the verb plays expresses an action that Andre does: Andre physically plays the sport of rugby. That is why plays is an action verb. Action verbs are often contrasted and should not be confused with two other types of verbs: stative verbs and linking verbs. Unlike action verbs, stative verbs express states of being or conditions.
Stative verbs are typically used to provide more information about the subject rather than say what the subject does. For example, the sentence The skunks smells really bad uses the stative verb smells to say what kind of odor the skunk has and the sentence Paula hates pineapple on pizza expresses an opinion that Paula has.
These sentences both use stative verbs to provide more information about the subject rather than express an action that the subject did. Grammatically, linking verbs are used differently than both stative and action verbs. The following sentences show the difference between action and linking verbs:. Study the differences between action and linking verbs and more in our guide on the types of verbs. It is possible for some verbs to be used as either action or stative verbs depending on meaning or context.
For example, the following two sentences use the verb think as an action and stative verb:. If it is something they can do, then it is an action verb if it is something they can be or feel, it is a non-action, or stative, verb. The following are examples of how action verbs are used in sentences, keep in mind that you can use more than one action verb in a sentence. The action verb is in bold in each sentence.
Remember that action verbs don't have to describe movement; the action can be mental. What separates action verbs from non-action verbs stative verbs is that they can be used in continuous tenses, meaning they have a present, past and future tense. The following are examples:. Action verbs are used to deliver important information in a sentence and add impact and purpose. These verbs play a vital role in grammar and signals to the reader what action the subject is performing in the sentence.
We also have more information on the function and types of action verbs. And once you're fully familiar with action verbs you can practice further with YourDictionary's action verb worksheets. All rights reserved. Common Action Verbs There are endless action verbs used in the English language. Examples of Action Verbs in Sentences The following are examples of how action verbs are used in sentences, keep in mind that you can use more than one action verb in a sentence. Anthony is throwing the football.
Here are some examples of action verbs in sentences. Greg is kicking the ball now. The action verb is kicking. It describes what Greg is doing. The wind blows constantly in Chicago. The action verb is blows. It describes what the wind does. He accepted my apology. The action verb is accepted.
It describes what 'he' did. A linking verb is a verb that links connects the subject of the sentence to information about that subject. Linking verbs do not describe action.
Other verbs can be linking verbs in some sentences and action verbs in other sentences. There are verbs that can be linking verbs in SOME sentences, but are action verbs in other sentences. If the sentence still makes sense, then it is probably a linking verb. The following are examples of verbs that can be linking verbs in some sentences and action verbs in other sentences: look smell appear prove sound feel remain taste grow Here are some sample sentences of verbs used as linking verbs and actions verbs.
Used as Linking Verbs Explanation Jane appeared uninjured after the accident. You could substitute the word 'is,' for the word 'appears,' and the sentence would still make sense: "Jane is uninjured after the accident. The cake smells good! This sentence describes the cake. It connects the subject, cake, with information about that subject—it smells good. The woman grew silent. This sentence may seem confusing.
An action verb is a verb that the subject can do. Action verbs can be in any verb tense. Transitive verbs and intransitive verbs are both action verbs. That is, the subject does something to someone or something else through a transitive verb.
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