action verb
1 synonym and 2 antonyms for action verb, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A verb that expresses something a subject does, either physically or mentally, such as run, throw, decide or imagine.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
dynamic verb
Antonyms
linking verb
stative verb
How to use action verb
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
strong action verb
action verbs list
action verb worksheet
resume action verbs
Neutral. Mainly a teaching term, used in school grammar and CV-writing guides.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an action verb and a linking verb?
An action verb tells you what the subject does — she wrote the report. A linking verb connects the subject to a description of it rather than to an action — she is the editor, the soup smells good. Be, seem, become and appear are the commonest linking verbs.
Can an action verb be mental as well as physical?
Yes. Verbs like think, decide, remember and believe describe mental actions and still count as action verbs, even though nothing visible happens.
Are action verbs and dynamic verbs the same thing?
Broadly yes. Dynamic verb is the term used in linguistics and English language teaching; action verb is the term used in school grammar and in careers advice. Both contrast with stative or linking verbs.
