We have been  learning since childhood that verbs convey an action. But do you know there are some verbs that do not show any action. These verbs describe or rename the subject in the sentence and hence, are called linking verbs.

A linking verb connects a subject to its predicate without expressing an action. They identify and describe the subject.

Examples:

· The dogs are barking angrily at the cat.
· Kaushik always feels sleepy when he stays up playing counter strike all night.
· Nikhil is a cricket fan.

In the above examples, the highlighted words are the linking verbs that are connecting the subject to the predicate. In the first example, are isn’t something that dogs can do. Are connects the subject, dogs, to information about them, that they are furious at the cat. Same is the case with the second and third example.

There are some verbs which are called true linking verbs. They include are, were, was, has been, are being, am, it, is, become and seem, etc. Some verbs act as linking verb as well as action verbs and those  include, appear, smell, taste, turn, sounds, feel, look, remain and grow.

Next question is how to identify them whether they are connecting the subject of the verb to more information or defining an action? Simple and easy step to identify is, to check whether you can replace is, and/or are in the sentence. After replacing this if the sentence still makes sense then it is a linking verb. If it doesn’t make sense, then it’s an action verb.

Examples:

· The chicken smell divine.
· Manisha tasted luscious spicy bhel for the first time.
· I feel worthy when he compliments me.

In the first example, the chicken are divine because smell is a linking verb in the sentence.

Take a test and identify the linking verbs and action verbs:

- Manpreet looks fine. 
- Sonia looked into the street. 
- Sachin is the best cricket player in the world. 
- Alexander was great in his new performance. 
- He seems jumbled. 
- They tasted the burger. 
- The pizza tasted good. 
- That sounds fantastic.  

Answers: 1. Linking Verb 2. Action Verb 3. Linking Verb 4. Linking Verb 5.  Linking Verb 6. Action Verb 7. Linking Verb 8. Linking Verb

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