Is Stayed a Linking Verb?

Stay is often used as a linking verb but can be used as either linking or action. For example in the sentence, "I wish she would stay...

What kind of verb is stay?

verb (used without object), stayed or staid, stay·ing. to spend some time in a place, in a situation, with a person or group, etc.: He stayed in the army for ten years. to continue to be as specified, as to condition or state: to stay clean.

How do you know if a verb is linking?

One way to determine if the verb is functioning as an action verb or a linking verb is to substitute the word “is” for the verb in question. If the sentence still makes sense, then it is probably a linking verb. If the sentence would not make sense with the word “is,” then it is probably an action verb in the sentence.