Linking Verbs (Copulative Verbs)

Linking verbs do not express action. Instead, they connect the subject of the verb to additional information about the subject. They show a relationship between the subject of the sentence and a noun or adjective being linked to it.

My dog is an Akita. (Dog and Akita are linked because they are the same thing.)
My cat is very furry. (Cat and furry are linked because furry describes the cat.)

·         The most common linking verbs are forms of the verb to be: am, is, are, was, were, being, been.

·         Other common linking verbs include: appear, become, feel, grow, look, remain, seem, smell, sound, stay, taste, and turn.

To check if these are being used as linking verbs, try replacing them with the correct form of to be. If they make sense and have almost the same meaning, they are linking verbs.

Laurie appears tired

Laurie appears is tired