Action Verbs in a Narrative Text

In this explanation, you will learn things:

The definition of action verbs (compared to stative and linking verbs)
Examples of action verbs (and other examples of both stative and linking verbs as well) in a narrative text

Before defining action verbs, let’s take a look at the passage below:

Over time, the sago palms in Aroempu were becoming scarcer. Seeing this, God Iriwonawani was very angry. He moved his plants to another area. To run away from God Iriwonawani’s wrath, the people of Kamboi Rama migrated to the coastal area and set up a new residence named Randuayaivi. There was, however, a couple of husband and wife who insisted on staying upon the mountain with God Iriwonawani. The couple was Irimiami and Isoray. For sustenance, they hunted deer in the jungle and planted tubers in their field.

First thing first, you need to know what verbs are. Based on the Merriam-webster dictionary, verbs are words showing an action, occurrence, or state of existence.

From the narrative text above, you can list the verbs, such as: were becoming, moved, run away, migrated, set up, named, insisted on, hunted, and planted.

However, since you are learning about action verbs in a narrative text, you will be focusing on some only.

Well, I can tell you, let’s say, two examples of action verbs from the passage: moved and migrated.

Oxford dictionary describes ‘moved’ as going in a specified direction or manner; or changing position. As for ‘migrated’ means moving from one part of something to another.

Based on the two examples given, I can assure you that the two action verbs are illustrating some action; things were conducted or done.

You then can conclude that action verbs express something that a person, animal, object, or process in nature (such as a storm) can do rather than expressing a state of being (Thesaurus). However, there are also two more types of verbs, such as stative verbs and linking verbs.

Stative verbs show states of being or conditions. Stative verbs are typically used to provide more information about the subject rather than say what the subject does, for example, ‘The guy smells really bad’. The stative verb ‘smells’ says what kind of odour the guy has. Another example ‘Mister Ah loves Sushi’ expresses an opinion that the man has. These sentences both use stative verbs to provide more information about the subject rather than express an action that the subject did.

Linking verbs, on the other hand, function as a connecting link or establish an identity between subject and complement. For example ‘The car is orange’ uses the linking verb ‘is’ to link the subject ‘the car’ with the adjective ‘orange’ providing information about the subject. Another example is ‘Tomorrow is Saturday’.

Action verbs can be either in physical or mental condition.

Examples of physical action verbs: ask, bend, climb, drive, eat, frolic, go, hang, inch, jiggle, kick, leap, mumble, nod, open, pull, quake, run, swim, tumble, unlock, vibrate, walk, yell, zip, and etc.

Examples of mental action verbs: consider, dream, imagine, ponder, think, remember, forget, memorize, learn, doubt, condemn, analyze, review, dread, worry, fear, fantasize, appreciate, evaluate, etc.

Easy right? If you need more example, read List of action verbs for additional information.

Well, to make sure you understand, why don’t you check out the narrative text below (again) to find out more about action verbs. Write your findings in the comment below.

Source of narrative text to read:

http://ceritarakyatnusantara.com/en/folklore/59-the-legend-of-the-holy-stone#