How to Identify Tricky Action and Linking Verbs

GrammarSongs by Melissa

This educational video provides a clear and engaging grammar lesson focused on distinguishing between action verbs and linking verbs, particularly those tricky verbs that can function as either depending on the context. The narrator begins by reviewing the basic definitions of action verbs (which show physical or mental doing) and linking verbs (which connect the subject to more information). The core of the lesson introduces a specific problem: verbs like "looked" and "appeared" that change classification based on how they are used in a sentence. The video explores key grammar themes including parts of speech, sentence analysis, and reading comprehension. Through animated examples involving characters like a pirate, a dog, and Superman, the video models two specific strategies for identifying the verb type: identifying if there is physical movement involved, and using the "substitution test." The substitution test demonstrates how replacing the verb with a clear action verb or a clear linking verb (like "was" or "seemed") reveals the true nature of the original verb. For educators, this video is an excellent tool for upper elementary and middle school English Language Arts classrooms. It moves beyond simple memorization of linking verbs lists and teaches critical thinking and analysis skills. The visual demonstrations of the substitution method provide a concrete strategy that students can immediately apply to their own writing and grammar exercises. It clarifies a common point of confusion for students and offers a reliable method for self-checking work.