Here's a breakdown:
1. What it does:
* Connects subject and complement: Linking verbs link the subject of a sentence to a noun, pronoun, or adjective that provides more information about the subject.
* Doesn't show action: Instead of describing an action, linking verbs describe a state of being, a condition, or a relationship.
2. Common Linking Verbs:
* Forms of "to be": am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been
* Other common verbs: seem, appear, become, feel, grow, look, remain, sound, taste, smell, turn, prove
3. Examples:
* "The sky is blue." "is" links "sky" (subject) to "blue" (adjective describing the sky).
* "She feels happy." "feels" links "she" (subject) to "happy" (adjective describing her).
* "He became a doctor." "became" links "he" (subject) to "a doctor" (noun renaming him).
4. Identifying Linking Verbs:
* Ask yourself if the verb describes an action. If not, it might be a linking verb.
* Substitute the verb with "is" or "are." If the sentence still makes sense, the verb is likely a linking verb.
5. Important Note:
Some verbs can act as both linking verbs and action verbs depending on the context. For example:
* "She looks beautiful." (Linking verb: describes her appearance)
* "She looks at the picture." (Action verb: describes an action)
Understanding linking verbs helps you write more precise and clear sentences. They are essential for building strong and informative communication!