What is a linking verb?

Answer 1

A linking verb is a verb that connects or (links) a verb to a noun or an adjective.

example:

I was cold.

was, is has been, smelled, looked, are all linking verbs

Linking verbs do not express action. Instead they connect the subject of the verb to additional information about the subject.

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The key thing about a 'linking verb' is that it is followed by an adjective, not an adverb. This is something that learners of English as a foreign or second language may fine difficult.

Examples

1. That sounds/feels/seems fine (not finely).
2. That looks/smells splendid (not splendidly).
3. That stays/remains accurate (not accurately).

(Some verbs can act as both linking verbs and actions verbs. If used as action verbs they need to take adverbs, for example:

• Jane sounded the bell immediately.
• The doctor felt the lump on my neck carefully.

Note that in thse two example there is an action and an object).

Answer 2

Word that describes a person place or thing

Of words added to another verb that make a verb phrase

Word that helps one word in a sentence name or describe another word in the sentence

Oh word the toast with someone or something is doing

A word that tells what someone or something is doing