Porfirio Diaz was the successor of Benito Juarez.Identify and write the linking verb, if any, in each sentence. The sentence no longer makes sense, so we know that the verb feels is not a linking one in this sentence. Now let us examine the word feels in the sentence below.

Since the sentence still makes sense, we know that the verb feels is a linking one in this sentence. To determine whether or not a verb is a linking one, we replace it with a form of the verb 'to be'- is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been-as in the example below. Look, feel, taste, smell, sound, seem, appear, grow, become, remain, stay Identifying Linking Verbs The President is doing something-appearing before the Senate.)Ĭommon linking verbs include all of the 'to be' verbs: The President appears before the Senate to discuss the bill.( Appears links 'President' with 'healthy.') Boomer smells his food before he devours it.Boomer smells musty after four weeks without a bath.( Looks is an action verb, not a linking one.

Some verbs can be used as either linking or action verbs, as shown in the sentence pairs below. In the sentence above, was links 'Woody' with 'successful.' The word successful describes Woody. In the sentence above, was links 'Woody' with 'folksinger.' The word folksinger names Woody's occupation. Its purpose is to connect a name or description to the subject. It does not show action, and it is not 'helping' an action verb. A linking verb 'links' the subject of a sentence to the rest of the predicate.

What is a linking verb