Page 581 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing
P. 581
A The dog looks forlornly at every passerby, hoping for a handout. (The verb
shows the dog’s physical action.)
The Linking Verb Test
To find out if a verb is a linking verb, see if you can substitute is or
was in its place. If the substitution works, the verb is probably a linking
verb.
Examples of the Linking Verb Test in Use
? The crowd grew quiet as the conductor stepped onto the podium.
L The crowd grew was quiet as the conductor stepped onto the
podium.
The above substitution makes sense; therefore, grew is used as a
linking verb.
? The vines grew until they covered the cottage.
A The vines grew were until they covered the cottage.
The previous substitution does not make sense; therefore, grew is
used here as an action verb.
? Michael stayed home from work because he felt sick.
