Identifying Linking Verbs:
A linking verb connects a subject to a noun, pronoun, or adjective that renames or describes the subject. It essentially "links" the subject to more information about it.
Here's how to identify a linking verb:
1. Look for the subject: Who or what is the sentence about?
2. Find the verb: What action is the subject doing?
3. Check if the verb connects the subject to a noun, pronoun, or adjective: Does the verb tell *what* the subject *is*, *was*, *seems*, or *feels*?
Examples:
* She is a doctor. ("is" links "She" to the noun "doctor")
* The sky looks blue. ("looks" links "sky" to the adjective "blue")
* He became a lawyer. ("became" links "He" to the noun "lawyer")
Common Linking Verbs:
* Forms of "be": am, is, are, was, were, been, being
* Other verbs: seem, appear, become, feel, look, sound, smell, taste, grow, remain, stay, turn, get, prove,
Important Notes:
* Not all verbs are linking verbs. Action verbs describe an action the subject performs.
* A verb can be both a linking and an action verb depending on context. For example, "The flower smells good" (linking verb) vs. "The dog smells the flower" (action verb).
To be sure, test the verb with a synonym: If you can replace the verb with "is" or "are" and the sentence still makes sense, it is likely a linking verb.