1. It connects the subject to a noun, pronoun, or adjective that describes or identifies the subject.
* Examples:
* The sky is blue. (Blue describes the sky)
* She became a doctor. (Doctor identifies her)
* He feels tired. (Tired describes him)
2. It doesn't show action.
* Compare:
* She ran quickly. (Action verb: "ran")
* She became tired. (Linking verb: "became")
3. It can often be replaced by a form of "be" (am, is, are, was, were, been, being).
* Examples:
* He seems happy. (He is happy.)
* The food tastes delicious. (The food is delicious.)
Common Linking Verbs:
* Forms of "be": am, is, are, was, were, been, being
* Sense verbs: feel, look, smell, sound, taste
* Other: appear, become, grow, remain, seem, turn
Important Note: Some verbs can act as both linking verbs and action verbs depending on the context.
* Example:
* Action verb: He looked at the picture. (He performed the action of looking)
* Linking verb: He looked happy. (Happy describes him)
If you're ever unsure, try substituting a form of "be" for the verb. If the sentence still makes sense, you're likely dealing with a linking verb.