Page 19 - Basic English Grammar Student Textbook short

Linking Verbs

A linking verb (also called a be or being verb because they express a state of being) does not show action; it
often links, or connects, a word or phrase in the predicate to the subject.

Linking Verbs
am were * taste * look
is be * feel * appear
are being * smell become
was been * sound seem

1. I am hungry. (I = hungry; adjective complement describing subject)
2. John is here. (stating existence; here is an adverb)
3. The team that won is Perseverance. (team = Perseverance; noun restating the subject)
4. The food smells delicious. (food = delicious; adjective describing subject)
5. John and Peter were with Him in the garden. (stating existence)

* NOTE: These verbs may function as a linking verb or as an action verb. Notice the different uses:
linking verb action verb
Taste The apple tastes sour. John tasted an apple.
*The apple is sour.
Feel I feel ill. I felt ill. John feels the apple.
*I am ill.
John felt the rough sandpaper.
Smell The bread smells old. I smelled the old bread.
*The bread is old.
John smells old bread daily.
Sound The music sounds beautiful. John sounded the dinner bell.
*The music is beautiful.

Look The girl looks very young. Tammy looked at the young girl.
*The girl is very young.

Appear The girl appears very young. The dog appeared in the window.
*The girls are very young.

Practice 3B: Linking Verbs. Underline the linking verbs
1. The spiritual gifts are different.
2. Nathan was sad all day.
3. The Holy Spirit is the ultimate Counselor.
4. We were at the bottom of the hill.
5. Peter and John were by the shore.
6. I am the way, the truth, and the life.
7. John and Jeffrey are brothers.

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