Linking Verbs
* Definition: Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a word that renames or describes the subject. They don't show action; instead, they establish a relationship between the subject and the information following the verb.
* Examples:
* be verbs: *am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been*
* other linking verbs: *appear, become, feel, grow, look, remain, seem, smell, sound, taste*
* How they function: They act as bridges, linking the subject to a noun, pronoun, or adjective that provides more information about the subject.
* Examples in sentences:
* She is a doctor. (The linking verb "is" connects "She" to the noun "doctor".)
* The soup smells delicious. (The linking verb "smells" connects "soup" to the adjective "delicious".)
* He became a lawyer. (The linking verb "became" connects "He" to the noun "lawyer".)
Be Verbs
* Definition: "Be" verbs are a type of linking verb, but they are the most common and versatile. They can also be used as auxiliary verbs (helping verbs) in some cases.
* Forms: *am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been*
* Examples:
* She is happy. ("is" is a linking verb connecting "She" to "happy")
* They are going to the park. ("are" is an auxiliary verb helping "going")
Key Differences
* All "be" verbs are linking verbs, but not all linking verbs are "be" verbs. There are many other verbs (like "appear", "become", "seem") that act as linking verbs.
* "Be" verbs can function as both linking verbs and auxiliary verbs, while other linking verbs are exclusively linking verbs.
In Summary:
* Linking verbs connect the subject to a word that renames or describes it.
* "Be" verbs are a type of linking verb and are the most common.
* Understanding linking verbs and "be" verbs is crucial for building grammatically correct and clear sentences.