Are linking verbs transitive or intransitive?

Answer 1

Linking verbs are neither transitive nor intransitive.

A transitive verb is an action verb that transfers its action to a direct object (someone or something that receives the action of the verb).

• Mark threw the ball. (ball is the direct object of the verb)

An intransitive verb is an action verb that does not transfer its action.

• The ball bounced. (no direct object)

A linking verb is a type of verb that connects the subject to a predicate nominative or predicate adjective (subject complement). Because linking verbs do not express an action, they cannot be transitive or intransitive.

• Mark is a Baseball player. (baseball player is a predicate nominative and provides more information about the subject, Mark)
• Mark is awesome. (awesome is a predicate adjective)

Answer 2

That depends on the verb.

A transitive verb is an action verb that takes a direct object. The action is transferred to someone or something.

• Joe gave me his keys. (keys is the direct object of gave)

An intransitive verb is an action verb that does not take a direct object. The action is not transferred to anything.

• I drove to work. (drove does not have a direct object)

A linking verb is not an action. It is a verb that connects the subject to a subject complement (a predicate nominative or a predicate adjective).

• Sasha is a dancer. (the linking verb, is, connects the subject, Sasha, to the predicate nominative, dancer)
• The baby feels sick today. (feels connects baby to sick, which is a predicate adjective)

Answer 3

To give is a transitive verb. It does something to something.