Verbs may be divided into three types:
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A. Action verbs - show an action -- either
physical or mental
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Examples:
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Smith catches the ball. (catches
shows a physical action)
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Smith imagines
great things. (imagines shows a mental action)
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Smith is wearing good clothes. (is wearing shows a physical action)
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B. Verbs of being (forms of be) - show a state of existence
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Examples:
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Smith is strange. (is
shows a state of existence)
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Smith will always be
my friend. (will be shows a
state of existence)
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Smith has been here for a week. (has been shows a state of existence)
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Smith was away last week. (was shows a state of existence)
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C.
Linking verbs - link a subject with its
complement (A subjective complement
"completes" / "equals" the subject.)
Linking verbs:
appear, taste, smell, feel, look, sound,
grow, seem, remain, become
Examples:
NOTE: Most linking verbs can also be used as action verbs.
