LINKING VERBS 

A linking verb links the subject of a sentence with a word or words that: (i) express (es) the subject’s state of being

Example:

She is here (expresses state of being)

She seems ready (state of being)

(ii) Describe (es) or rename (es) the subject.

Examples:

Anna is a nurse (a nurse, describes Anna)

Joyce is cheerful (cheerful describes Joyce)

The road is bumpy.

A linking verb does not tell about an action.

Read: DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS

INDEFINITE PRONOUNS

Common Linking Verbs

Am look grow

Are feel remain

Is taste become

Was smell sound

Were seem

Will be appear

Read: CONTRACTIONS WITH PRONOUNS

OBJECT PRONOUNS

NB: Some verbs can be either linking verbs or action verbs.

Examples:

The crowd looked at the mangled car – Action

The driver of the car looked shocked – LINKING

The chef smelled the food – Action

The food smelled wonderful – Linking

Exercise 1 Identify the verb in each of the following sentences.

Then label each verb Action or Linking.

1. Queen Elizabeth of England seems an interesting historical figure.
2. We watched the Olympic games on television.
3. The crowd cheered loudly.
4. She seems calm.
5. PLO Lumumba is a quick thinker.
6. The hunter aimed the arrow at the antelope.
7. The referee blew the whistle to start off the game.
8. She was very tired after the journey.
9. She is careful when crossing the road.
10. The country seems prosperous.