What Follows A Linking Or Action Verb

What Follows a Linking or Action Verb: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding the structure of sentences is fundamental to effective writing. A key component of sentence structure involves recognizing and using verbs correctly. Verbs, the action words of a sentence, are categorized into two primary groups: linking verbs and action verbs. Knowing what follows each type is crucial for grammatical accuracy and clarity. This comprehensive guide delves into the intricacies of linking and action verbs, explaining what grammatical structures follow each and providing numerous examples to solidify your understanding.

Understanding Linking Verbs

Linking verbs don't show action; instead, they connect the subject of the sentence to a subject complement, which provides more information about the subject. The subject complement can be a noun, pronoun, or adjective. Common linking verbs include forms of to be (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been), along with other verbs like appear, become, feel, grow, look, remain, seem, smell, sound, stay, taste, and turn.

Key Characteristics of Linking Verbs:

No direct action: They don't describe an action the subject performs.
Connect subject to complement: They link the subject to a word or phrase that renames or describes it.
Can be replaced with "equals": Often, you can substitute a form of "to be" for the linking verb without significantly changing the meaning.

What Follows a Linking Verb?

After a linking verb, you'll find a subject complement. This complement can take one of two forms:

1. Predicate Noun: A noun or pronoun that renames the subject.

Example: My sister is a doctor. (Subject: sister, Linking Verb: is, Predicate Noun: doctor)
Example: The winner was she. (Subject: winner, Linking Verb: was, Predicate Noun: she)
Example: He became a successful entrepreneur. (Subject: He, Linking Verb: became, Predicate Noun: successful entrepreneur)

2. Predicate Adjective: An adjective that describes the subject.

Example: The movie seemed boring. (Subject: movie, Linking Verb: seemed, Predicate Adjective: boring)
Example: The flowers smell sweet. (Subject: flowers, Linking Verb: smell, Predicate Adjective: sweet)
Example: She felt ill. (Subject: She, Linking Verb: felt, Predicate Adjective: ill)

Important Note: Sometimes, identifying a linking verb can be tricky. Consider the context. For example, "taste" can be both a linking and action verb:

Linking Verb: The soup tastes delicious. (Delicious describes the soup.)
Action Verb: She tasted the soup. (She performed the action of tasting.)

Understanding Action Verbs

Action verbs, unlike linking verbs, express an action performed by the subject. They describe what the subject does. These verbs can be transitive or intransitive.

Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs:

Transitive Verbs: These verbs require a direct object to complete their meaning. The direct object receives the action of the verb.
Example: She read a book. (Subject: She, Action Verb: read, Direct Object: book)
Example: The dog chased the ball. (Subject: dog, Action Verb: chased, Direct Object: ball)
Example: They built a house. (Subject: They, Action Verb: built, Direct Object: house)
Intransitive Verbs: These verbs do not require a direct object. They express a complete thought without needing a receiver of the action.
Example: The bird sang. (Subject: bird, Action Verb: sang)
Example: He sleeps. (Subject: He, Action Verb: sleeps)
Example: The sun sets. (Subject: sun, Action Verb: sets)

What Follows an Action Verb?

What follows an action verb depends on whether it's transitive or intransitive:

1. Transitive Verbs: These are followed by a direct object. The direct object answers the question "what?" or "whom?" after the verb.

2. Intransitive Verbs: Intransitive verbs may be followed by various elements, including:

Adverbial phrases or clauses: These modify the verb, indicating when, where, how, or to what extent the action occurred.
Example: He ran quickly. (Adverb: quickly modifies the verb ran)
Example: They travelled to Europe. (Adverbial phrase: to Europe modifies the verb travelled)
Example: She sleeps after midnight. (Adverbial phrase: after midnight modifies the verb sleeps)
Prepositional phrases: These phrases often provide additional information about the action.
Example: He walked in the park. (Prepositional phrase: in the park modifies the verb walked)
Example: They live near the river. (Prepositional phrase: near the river modifies the verb live)
Indirect Objects: These specify to whom or for whom the action is performed. Indirect objects usually come before the direct object.
Example: She gave him a gift. (Subject: She, Verb: gave, Indirect Object: him, Direct Object: gift)
Example: He sent Mary a postcard. (Subject: He, Verb: sent, Indirect Object: Mary, Direct Object: postcard)
Object complements: These describe the direct object further.
Example: They painted the house blue. (Subject: They, Verb: painted, Direct Object: house, Object Complement: blue)
Example: They elected him president. (Subject: They, Verb: elected, Direct Object: him, Object Complement: president)

Identifying Verbs and Their Complements: Advanced Scenarios

Identifying the verb and its accompanying complements can become more complex in longer and more nuanced sentences. Consider the following points:

Compound verbs: Sentences can contain compound verbs, where two or more verbs share the same subject. Each verb might require its own object or complement.
Example: She sang and danced gracefully. (Compound verb: sang and danced, adverb: gracefully)
Passive voice: In passive constructions, the subject receives the action rather than performing it. The structure typically involves a form of the verb to be followed by the past participle.
Example: The cake was eaten by John. (Passive voice, form of “to be,” past participle “eaten,” prepositional phrase “by John”)
Clauses: Sentences can include subordinate clauses that contain their own subject-verb combinations. Carefully analyze the main clause to identify the primary verb and its complements.
Example: The dog, which was barking loudly, ran into the street. (Main clause verb: ran; subordinate clause verb: was barking)

Practical Applications and Exercises

The ability to correctly identify linking verbs, action verbs, and their complements is essential for clear and effective writing. By understanding these grammatical structures, you can:

Improve sentence clarity: Avoiding grammatical errors enhances the readability and comprehension of your writing.
Construct grammatically correct sentences: Correctly placing complements and modifiers ensures proper sentence structure.
Enhance your writing style: Mastering these concepts allows for greater flexibility and precision in expressing your thoughts.

Exercise 1: Identify the verb and its complement(s) in the following sentences:

The sun shone brightly.
She is a talented musician.
They painted the walls a vibrant green.
He became a successful lawyer after years of hard work.
The flowers smell wonderful in the garden.
She gave her friend a beautiful necklace.
The story seemed captivating to the children.
He quickly ran through the field.
The team elected Sarah captain.
The music sounded magical in the concert hall.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the following sentences, correcting any grammatical errors related to verb usage:

The book was interesting and I enjoyed it very much.
He felt happy, and he smiled broadly to his friend.
The cake tasted delicious and everyone loved it.
They were running fast and reached their destination quickly.
She became an exceptional doctor and she studied diligently.

By practicing these exercises, you'll strengthen your understanding of verb usage and improve your writing skills significantly. Mastering the distinctions between linking and action verbs, along with their respective complements, is crucial for becoming a more confident and effective writer. Remember to always consider the context of the sentence to ensure accuracy in your identification of the verb and its accompanying elements. This comprehensive guide should equip you with the necessary tools to navigate the complexities of verb usage with greater ease and precision.

What Follows A Linking Or Action Verb

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