Action verbs describe physical or mental actions someone performs — words like run, jump, think, and decide — as opposed to "being" verbs like "is" or "was," which describe states rather than actions.
Physical Action Verbs
| Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| Run | She runs every morning. |
| Jump | He jumped over the fence. |
| Write | They wrote a letter. |
Mental Action Verbs
| Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| Think | She thinks carefully before speaking. |
| Decide | He decided to leave early. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between an action verb and a linking verb?
Action verbs describe doing something, while linking verbs (like "is" or "seems") connect the subject to additional descriptive information.
Are all action verbs physical?
No — mental action verbs like "think," "believe," and "decide" describe internal actions rather than physical movement.
Why are action verbs important in resume writing?
Strong action verbs ("led," "achieved," "developed") make accomplishments sound more dynamic and specific than passive, vague language.
Can a verb be both an action verb and a linking verb?
Yes — some verbs like "look" or "feel" can function as either, depending on context.
💡 The Takeaway
Strong action verbs ("led," "achieved") beat passive language every time on a resume — swap in specifics wherever possible.
Looking for more grammar breakdowns like this? Check out our guides on was vs. were usage, active voice examples, and noun phrases, browse our full library of language guides, or check out our directory of the best AI writing tools.