Page 119 - Red Feather Book 1

Linking verbs are verbs that connect (link) the subject to information about that subject.
• Linking verbs do not describe an action.
• The most common linking verbs are forms of the verb to be:
Is, am, are, was, were, been and being
Examples: This was of little influence on Scrooge. I am not changed towards you.
Other common linking verbs are appear, become, feel, seem, grow, look, smell, sound and taste.
Example: The apprentice feels depressed.
Some of these verbs can sometimes be linking verbs and other times action verbs it depends on how you use them in a sentence. An easy way to know is by asking yourself if you can replace it with am, is or are, and the sentence still has sense.
Example: The apprentice feels depressed.
The apprentice is depressed. (It still makes sense)
Read the sentences. Find the linking verbs and circle them.
1. Marley was dead.
2. Scrooge and Marley had been partners for I don’t know how many years.
3. Scrooge was not so dreadfully cut up by the sad event.
4. I was not afraid to ask him once more.
5. If this had never been between us, said the girl.
6. It would have been a surprise.
7. Scrooge is a good man deep inside.
8. His nephew looked worried.
9. Scrooge grew angry.
10. The arms were very long and muscular.
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The Red Feather Literature Second Course