Lesson two

2.1       LINKING VERBS

A linking verb links the subject of a sentence with a word or words that :

  • express(es) the subject’s state of being.

Example:

  • She is (expresses state of being) She seems ready. (state of being)
  • 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.

2.2       Common linking verbs 

am

look

grow

are

feel

remain

is

taste

become

was

smell

sound

were

seem

 

will be

appear

 

 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

2.3       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
  2. We watched the Olympic games on
  3. The crowd cheered
  4. She seems calm.
  5. PLO Lumumba is a quick
  6. The hunter aimed the arrow at the
  7. The referee blew the whistle to start off the
  8. She was very tired after the
  9. She is careful when crossing the
  10. The country seems