LINKING VERBS:
A REVIEW
10/24
LINKING VERBS
 Linking verbs are verbs that do not show action. They express
a state or condition.
 These verbs link to the subject a noun, a pronoun, or an
adjective that describes or identifies the subject.
 Examples
The happy cat | looked for the ball.
"Looked" functions as an action verb
The cat | looked happy. "Looked" functions as a linking
verb.
 It is the FUNCTION of the verb in the sentence that determines
if it is a linking verb.
COMMON LINKING VERBS
 Forms of to be are sometimes used as linking verbs
is
am
are
was
were
be
being
been
MORE LINKING VERBS
 Verbs that are sometimes used as linking verbs
feel
taste
look
smell
appear
grow
remain
stay
turn
seem
sound
become
prove
A WAY TO CHECK
 The linking verb connection between the subject to the noun or
adjective is something like an equal sign. She is tall. -- She = tall.
 If you can substitute am, is, or are and the sentence still sounds
logical, you have a linking verb on your hands.
 Examples
I am calm.
The be verb am links I and calm. Calm describes my state of
being.
George Washington became the fir st president.
Became links George Washington and president.
Check by saying, George = president, or President George
Washington, or substitute the linking verb with a form of "to be“
as in: George Washington was president.
ACTION OR LINKING VERB?
 The monkey looked hungry.
 The monkey looked for food.
 The soup tasted good.
 I tasted the soup.
 He grew into a tall man
 He grew tired of walking.
 Mother appeared happy at her party..
 Mother appeared quietly in the room.
 The singer appeared nervous.
The singer appeared on television.
HELPING VERB CONFUSION
 A verb phase is made up of a main verb and one or more helping
verbs. Helping verbs help the main verb to express action or make
a statement.
 The forms of to be can also be used as helping verbs such as in the
following sentence :
 Terr y is looking.
In the sentence above, "is" does not function as a linking verb. "Is
looking" tells what Terr y is doing (the action) , not what Terr y is
being.
LINKING OR HELPING VERB?
 Patricia is watching television.
 Maria was searching for a new hobby.
 The golden retriever is friendly.
 The student could remember the answer.
 We will walk to the pizza place.
 Sidney Crosby is awesome at ice hockey. 