Is can a linking or action verb?

Answer 1

The easy way to recognize a linking verb is that a linking verb acts as an equals sign, the object of the verb is a different form of the subject:

• Mary is my sister. Mary=sister

or the subject becomes the object:

• My feet got wet. feet->wet

The verb can is a linking verb when the object is a form of the subject:

• Mary can be annoying. (Mary->annoying)

But not in another context:

• Mary can bring the desert.
• Mary can play the piano.
• Mary can go.