2. Linking Verbs

Linking verbs link a subject to a word or phrase that describes or identifies the subject. They help to complete the expression about the subject. Linking verbs do not take on a direct object but are followed by an adjective. Any verb that expresses an action is not a linking verb. The following are the characteristics of a linking verb: Linking verbs are not action words. He looked at me. (It tells us what he did = action verb) She looked as if she was going to cry. (It doesn't tell us what she did, only how she appeared to be = linking verb) Linking verbs tell us what state the subject is in, what the subject is, etc. He looked tired. She is a nurse. Linking verbs are followed by an adjective, but not a direct object. He feels fine. ('feels' is not an action verb because it's followed by an adjective.) He feels the fine sand of the beach. ('feels' is an action verb.) A pronoun following a linking verb should be in the subjective, not objective. It was he they were looking for. (he = subjective pronoun) NOT: It was him they were looking for. (him = objective pronoun) Linking verbs can be identified by replacing the verb with 'to be' and see if it makes sense. If it does, it is a linking verb. Otherwise, it isn't. Let's use the following two sentences and replace the verb 'feels' with 'is'. He feels fine. = He is fine. (It makes sense, so the verb is a linking verb.) He feels the fine sand of the beach. = He is the fine sand of the beach. (Not a linking verb.) Adverbs modify action words. Using adverbs instead of adjectives with linking verbs will result in incorrect sentences, as shown here: Example: Some common linking verbs: appear, become, feel, grow, look, seem, smell, sound, taste. Andy appears calm. (NOT: Andy appears calmly.) He became anxious about working for the first time. (NOT: He became anxiously about working for the first time.) She feels sad. (NOT: He feels sadly.) Cindy grew impatient with his strange behaviour. (NOT: Cindy grew impatiently with his strange behaviour.) Diane looked beautiful in her new dress. (NOT: Diane looked beautifully in her new dress.) Eddy seemed angry to me. (NOT: Eddy seemed angrily to me.) The pizza smelled delicious. (NOT: The pizza smelled deliciously.) The idea sounds bad. (NOT: The idea sounds badly.) The drink tastes sweet. (NOT: The drink tastes sweetly.)