Linking verbs and non-action verbs are related but not exactly the same. Here's the breakdown:
Linking Verbs
* Connect the subject to a word or phrase that renames or describes the subject.
* Don't express action.
* Common linking verbs include:
* Forms of "to be" (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been)
* Become, seem, appear, feel, look, smell, taste, sound, grow, remain, prove, turn
Example:
* The sky is blue. (Blue renames the sky.)
* She feels happy. (Happy describes her feeling.)
Non-Action Verbs
* A broader category that includes linking verbs and other verbs that don't express physical action.
* Can express states of being, senses, emotions, or relationships.
* Examples:
* Have, own, possess (states of possession)
* Know, believe, think (mental states)
* Love, hate, like (emotions)
Key Difference:
* All linking verbs are non-action verbs, but not all non-action verbs are linking verbs.
* Non-action verbs can express a wider range of states and conditions beyond simply renaming or describing the subject.
In Summary:
Linking verbs are a specific type of non-action verb that connects the subject to a description or renaming word or phrase.