Transitive and Linking Verbs: A Quick Guide
Transitive Verbs:
* Definition: A transitive verb is a verb that *acts* on a direct object. This means the verb *does something to* something else.
* Structure: Transitive verb + direct object
* Example: "The dog chased the ball." (The verb "chased" acts on the direct object "ball".)
Linking Verbs:
* Definition: A linking verb *connects* the subject of a sentence to a noun, pronoun, or adjective that renames or describes the subject. They don't show action.
* Structure: Linking verb + subject complement
* Example: "The sky is blue." (The verb "is" links the subject "sky" to the adjective "blue" which describes it.)
Key Differences:
| Feature | Transitive Verb | Linking Verb |
|---|---|---|
| Action | Shows action | Does not show action |
| Object | Requires a direct object | Does not require a direct object |
| Purpose | Shows what the subject *does* | Connects the subject to a description or renaming |
Common Linking Verbs:
* Be verbs: am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been
* Other common linking verbs: appear, become, feel, grow, look, remain, seem, smell, sound, taste, turn
How to Tell the Difference:
1. Ask "What?" after the verb: If you can answer with a noun or pronoun, it's likely a transitive verb.
* Example: "The dog chased what?" (The ball)
2. Ask "Who/What is/was [subject]?" If the answer renames or describes the subject, it's likely a linking verb.
* Example: "The sky is what?" (Blue)
Remember: Some verbs can be both transitive and linking depending on the context.
For example:
* "The artist painted the portrait." (Transitive - painted what?)
* "The artist felt happy." (Linking - felt what?)
Understanding the difference between transitive and linking verbs is crucial for correctly constructing sentences and understanding the meaning of the words within them.