Last week we talked about action verbs. Action verbs sometimes transfer action to a direct object.
An action verb that transfers action is called a transitive verb.
Ate is an action word. In this sentence, ate is a transitive verb.
Bob ate dinner.
Ate transfers action to the noun dinner.
Now look at this sentence.
Bob ate.
Ate is still an action verb, but the action does not transfer to a noun.
In this sentence, ate is an intransitive verb.
Linking verbs are always intransitive verbs.
Linking verbs show existence, never action, so linking verbs cannot transfer action.
Transitive action verb:
Janet told the story.
Told transfers action to story. Story is a direct object.
Intransitive action verb:
John sang.
Sang shows action, but it doesn’t transfer action.
Intransitive linking verb:
Bob is a carpenter.
The verb is shows no action. Bob exists as a carpenter.
Here is the rule to remember:
An action verb can be transitive or intransitive.
When an action verb transfers action to a direct object, it is a transitive verb.
When an action verb cannot transfer action to a noun, it is an intransitive verb.
Linking verbs are always Intransitive verbs.
Linking verbs never show action, so they can’t transfer action.