Crash Course AP Literature

Being/Linking Verbs

is

am

was

were

are

be

been

being

have been

had been

shall be

will be

should have been

would have been

feels

seems

How do you know if it’s an action verb? If you can act it out, it is an action verb. I can act out “dance,”
but I cannot act out “was.”

Check your own writing for strong verb use. Choose any essay and highlight all the

linking/being verbs you have used. Then, revise the essay and replace those

highlighted verbs with action verbs. Notice the difference in the quality of your essay.

Below are some sample sentences that show the difference between using linking verbs and action
verbs. Notice how much more vivid and descriptive the action verbs make the sentences.

Linking Verbs Action Verbs

Sylvia was clumsy. Sylvia tripped over the smallest pebble.

The images are interesting. The images in the first paragraph evoke pity for the narrator.

The simile is effective. The simile conjures images of wickedness.