Action Verbs vs. Linking Verbs: A Guide for Modern Writers
At its core, the difference between action verbs vs. linking verbs is simple. Action verbs tell you what something does—it "analyzes," "creates," or "innovates." Linking verbs, on the other hand, tell you what something is by connecting it to a description—it "is," "seems," or "becomes."
Mastering this distinction is a foundational step for any content creator, student, or professional looking to make their writing clear, impactful, and authentic. This guide offers practical advice to help you choose the right verb with intention, especially when refining AI-generated content.
Defining the Roles of Verbs in Writing
Verbs give a sentence its pulse. Think of action verbs as the engine; they create movement, push your narrative forward, and show the reader what is actually happening. They are direct, full of energy, and essential for making your writing feel dynamic.
Linking verbs are more like bridges. They don't express action but instead connect the subject of a sentence to more information about it, creating a relationship between two ideas. This is crucial for definitions and descriptions, helping you explain the state or condition of something with clarity.
Key Functional Differences
This isn't just a stuffy grammar lesson. Knowing how to use both verb types directly impacts your communication. For content creators, this distinction shapes how your audience receives the message—is it persuasive and punchy, or descriptive and informative?
To enhance your foundational skills, our guide on how to improve English writing skills is a great place to start.
To make this even clearer, let's break down the core differences in a simple table.
Action Verbs vs Linking Verbs at a Glance
This table gives you a quick snapshot of the fundamental roles each verb type plays in a sentence.
| Attribute | Action Verbs | Linking Verbs |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Express a physical or mental action. | Connect the subject to a description or identity. |
| Purpose in Writing | To create momentum and show what is happening. | To describe a state of being or condition. |
| Example | The marketer analyzes the data. | The data seems accurate. |
This foundational knowledge allows you to choose verbs with intention. When you understand the job each verb performs, you gain more control over your sentence structure and can deliver your message with precision. This is true whether you’re writing from scratch or using an AI tool—a solid grasp of verb functions is non-negotiable for creating quality content that feels authentic.
How to Identify Action Verbs for Powerful Writing
Spotting an action verb is easier than you might think. Try a simple, practical test: when you're looking at a verb, ask yourself, "Can someone or something physically or mentally do this?"
If the answer is a clear "yes," then you have an action verb. For instance, in "The marketing team launches the campaign," can a team launch something? Absolutely. This simple check helps you find the words that give your writing a pulse and make your message feel alive.
The Two Types of Action Verbs
Once you're comfortable identifying action verbs, it's useful to know they come in two flavors: transitive and intransitive. The difference is whether the verb needs a direct object to complete its thought.
- Transitive Verbs: These verbs transfer their action onto something or someone. They feel incomplete otherwise and answer the question "what?" or "whom?"
- Example: The designer created... what? The logo. "Logo" is the direct object.
- Intransitive Verbs: These verbs are self-sufficient and express a complete action on their own without an object.
- Example: The website loaded slowly. The sentence is complete.
Knowing the difference gives you real control over sentence flow. A punchy transitive verb can create a strong cause-and-effect relationship, while an intransitive verb keeps the focus squarely on the subject's action.
Key Takeaway: Choosing between transitive and intransitive verbs is a writer's tool. It lets you direct the reader's focus, either toward the outcome of an action or to the action itself.
Action Verbs in Real-World Scenarios
The impact of a good action verb is most obvious in professional and marketing writing. Weak, passive language kills momentum, but strong verbs build clarity and purpose. In fact, research shows that job descriptions packed with powerful action verbs consistently attract higher-quality applicants by clearly defining what the role does.
Just look at this simple tweak in marketing copy:
- Weak: The new feature is helpful for productivity.
- Strong: The new feature boosts productivity.
"Boosts" doesn't just describe a state; it performs. This paints a vivid picture, making the feature far more persuasive. As you edit your own work—especially AI-generated text—be on the lookout for weak verb phrases you can swap for a single, impactful action verb.
This one change can make your writing feel instantly more authentic. At PureWrite, we designed our platform around making these kinds of strategic improvements, helping you transform robotic AI drafts into writing that connects. See for yourself how a few smart verb choices can humanize your content with PureWrite.
Mastering Linking Verbs for Clarity and Description
If action verbs are the engine, linking verbs are the chassis providing essential structure. Rather than showing what something does, they act like a grammatical equals sign, connecting a subject to more information about its state or identity. Getting a handle on them is crucial for adding layers of detail to your work.
The most common linking verbs are forms of to be—such as is, am, are, was, and were. You’ll also frequently see verbs like seem and become. In the sentence, "The report is comprehensive," the verb "is" simply links the "report" to its quality of being "comprehensive."
Navigating Tricky Verbs
Things can get fuzzy with certain verbs that play both sides. Sensory words like feel, taste, look, and smell can function as either action or linking verbs, depending entirely on context. This precision is especially important in academic writing, where every word choice matters.
If you want to dive deeper into that kind of precision, check out our guide on how to improve academic writing. To tell these tricky verbs apart, ask what the verb is actually doing.
- Action Example: He tasted the soup to check the seasoning. (Here, "he" is actively doing something.)
- Linking Example: The soup tasted salty. (The verb connects "soup" to the description "salty.")
This decision can feel difficult, but there's a simple test to help you figure it out.
As the infographic highlights, a quick substitution is often the easiest way to get your answer when you're on the fence.
The Simple Substitution Test
When in doubt, try swapping the verb in question with a form of "to be" like is, are, or was. If the sentence still makes logical sense, you have a linking verb. It’s a simple trick that instantly clears up grammatical confusion.
Before: The new marketing strategy feels risky.
Test: The new marketing strategy is risky.
The sentence still works perfectly, so "feels" is a linking verb. This quick check helps you write with more confidence and make more intentional verb choices, especially when adding life to content that feels flat.
When to Choose Action Verbs Over Linking Verbs
Knowing the difference between action and linking verbs is one thing; knowing when to use each is where strategic writing begins. Your choice isn't just about grammar; it's about shaping your message to meet a specific goal. The verb you pick directly impacts your tone, pacing, and effect on the reader.
To choose, ask yourself a simple question: am I trying to get someone to do something, or am I trying to help them understand something? Answering that question tells you which tool to pull from your writer's toolbox.
Driving Action vs. Establishing Context
The action-versus-linking verb debate boils down to purpose. If you need to create urgency, push for a conversion, or make your writing feel more alive, action verbs are your go-to. They inject energy and give your sentences a forward momentum that passive descriptions can't replicate.
On the other hand, if your goal is to explain a complex topic or build a detailed picture, linking verbs are indispensable. They create a stable foundation, connecting ideas and describing states of being with precision. The only catch? Overusing them can make your writing feel flat and academic.
This isn't just an opinion; you can see the difference in data. A study by content analysts found that marketing copy using strong action verbs sees up to a 15% higher conversion rate compared to passive copy. Similarly, readers report a 25% jump in comprehension when writers use both verb types in the right context.
Practical Scenarios for Verb Selection
Let's ground this in a few real-world examples. Picking the right verb can be the difference between content that works and content that falls flat.
Writing a Sales Page: Your goal is to inspire action. Instead of "Our software is a great solution," you'd write, "Our software automates your workflow and saves you time." The action verbs make the benefits feel tangible.
Drafting a Technical Guide: Here, clarity is king. A sentence like, "The primary server is the main data repository," uses a linking verb to provide a straightforward, unambiguous definition.
Composing a Professional Email: The right verb helps you sound decisive. Strong action verbs show you're proactive and ready to move forward. For more on this, take a look at our guide on how to write professional emails.
As you edit, get in the habit of asking: "What do I want my reader to do or understand here?" If the answer is "do," hunt for opportunities to swap a weak linking verb for a powerful action verb. This small shift can transform a passive sentence into a compelling call to action.
To help you make these decisions on the fly, here’s a quick guide that matches your writing goal to the right type of verb.
Choosing the Right Verb for Your Writing Goal
| Writing Goal | Recommended Verb Type | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Persuade or Sell | Action Verbs | "Our new feature slashes reporting time in half." |
| Explain a Concept | Linking Verbs | "The core principle is a state of equilibrium." |
| Tell an Engaging Story | Action Verbs | "The protagonist raced against the clock." |
| Provide a Definition | Linking Verbs | "A sonnet is a poem of fourteen lines." |
| Give Clear Instructions | Action Verbs | "Click the 'Submit' button and download your file." |
Mastering verb choice is about finding the right balance. A piece filled only with action verbs can feel frantic, while one relying too heavily on linking verbs will put your reader to sleep. The sweet spot is a strategic blend that creates prose as clear as it is compelling.
Humanizing AI Content with Strategic Verb Choice
AI writing tools are fantastic for creating a first draft, but the output often feels flat. A major tell is an over-reliance on linking verbs and passive language, which gives AI content its robotic feel and can easily trigger AI detectors. The good news is that with a thoughtful, human-led edit, you can breathe life back into that text.
This is about making deliberate word choices. Your mission is to hunt down weak linking verbs and swap them for powerful action verbs that show, rather than tell. Shifting from "the report is a summary" to "the report summarizes" immediately makes your writing feel more direct and authoritative.
The Power of a Human Editor
AI is great at structuring information, but it can't replicate a genuine human voice—that’s where you come in. When you consciously weigh the action verbs vs linking verbs in an AI draft, you're taking back creative control and injecting your brand's unique personality. It's this ethical, human touch that makes content memorable.
Take this common example of AI-generated text:
- AI Draft: The new software is a tool that is helpful for streamlining workflows.
- Human-Edited: The new software streamlines your workflow.
See the difference? The human-edited version is punchier, clearer, and far more persuasive. Mastering this refinement is a non-negotiable skill for any content creator working ethically with AI today.
Global Perspectives on Verb Mastery
This sharp focus on verb choice is a fundamental principle of clear communication taught around the globe. For example, the emphasis on detailed grammar in China means that over 90% of students demonstrate a strong command of linking verbs by age 16. In European education systems, roughly 80% of students can confidently differentiate verb types by the time they finish secondary school.
You can find more about this global focus on grammar on lingoda.com.
At PureWrite, we see AI as an incredible starting point, but never the final product. The real magic begins when a human editor applies their insight—and strategic verb choices—to make the content truly resonate.
This level of detailed editing is crucial everywhere, from website copy to your daily emails. For a closer look at how purposeful language can transform your professional communications, be sure to read our guide on email communication best practices.
Ultimately, by treating AI-generated content as a rough draft, you can use your expertise to elevate it. You can try PureWrite for free to see how our platform helps you spot and fix these exact issues, turning robotic text into human-quality writing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Verbs
We've covered the fundamentals of action and linking verbs, but some questions always pop up. Let's tackle a few of the most common ones to lock in these concepts.
Can a Sentence Have Both an Action and a Linking Verb?
Absolutely, but they won't share the same job. In complex sentences, you'll often find both verb types working in separate clauses. A simple clause, however, will only have one main verb—either action or linking.
For example: "The data seemed correct after the team analyzed it." Here, "seemed" is a linking verb in the main clause, while "analyzed" is an action verb driving the subordinate clause.
Are All "To Be" Verbs Linking Verbs?
For all practical purposes in your daily writing, yes. You can count on forms of "to be" (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been) to be linking verbs. Their entire purpose is to connect a subject with a description, acting like a grammatical equals sign.
While rare philosophical exceptions exist, you won't need to worry about them when creating content. Just treat them as linking verbs.
Key Insight: Relying too heavily on "to be" verbs is a classic sign of flat, lifeless writing. It makes your prose feel passive. Make it a habit during your editing to hunt them down and see where a punchier action verb could do a better job.
How Does Verb Choice Affect SEO?
While Google doesn't directly score your verb choices, your selection has a huge indirect impact on SEO. Search engines want to serve up content that people enjoy reading, and strong verbs are key to making that happen.
- Better Readability: Clear, dynamic action verbs make your writing easier to follow. This keeps people on your page longer and lowers your bounce rate—both positive user signals.
- Higher Engagement: Action-oriented language is naturally more persuasive. It encourages people to click, share, and engage with your calls to action.
- Natural Language: A good mix of verbs makes your content sound more human and aligns with the natural language patterns that modern search algorithms understand.
Why Do AI Writing Tools Overuse Linking Verbs?
It all comes down to their training. AI models learn by analyzing massive datasets, and they lean on common, statistically probable sentence structures. Sentences built around "is" and "are" are incredibly frequent, so the AI defaults to them as a safe way to connect ideas.
The result is content that’s grammatically sound but feels stiff and lacks a human touch. This pattern is a dead giveaway for AI detection tools and exactly why a human editor is still essential. Refining those drafts with a tool like PureWrite helps you swap out that robotic language for something with real energy.
This focus applies everywhere, even in professional emails. Choosing the right words sets the entire tone. For instance, our guide on the best email salutations shows how a few words can make a powerful first impression. Ultimately, your verbs are a cornerstone of your writing style.
Taking a flat, AI-generated draft and turning it into something authentic and compelling often starts with the verbs. PureWrite is built to help you catch those weak constructions, passive voice, and repetitive phrases, giving you an easy way to humanize your writing.