A linking verb shows the relationship between the subject and the predicate in a sentence. It does not express an action but shows a state of being or condition.

Examples:

• Liza is a scholar.

• The speaker looks very confident.

• Ayessa was sleepy.

In each of the above sentences, the verbs is, looks, and was join the subject to the predicate. The verbs is, looks, and was are, therefore, linking verbs.

The linking verb shows that the predicate refers to or describes the subject.

• forms of the verb to be: am, is, are, was, were, has, have, will be, had been, etc

• verbs of sense: seem, appear, feel, look, smell, taste, sound

• verbs showing a state of being: grow, become, stay, remain, etc

If at times you cannot decide whether the verb is an action verb or a linking verb, try to substitute it with one of the forms of to be - am, is, was - in the sentence. If after the substitution the sentence makes no sense, then it is an action verb.

• Janet tasted the spicy tomato soup.

• Janet is the spicy tomato soup.

By substituting tasted with is, the sentence makes no sense. Therefore, tasted is a transitive verb.

• The spicy tomato soup tastes delicious.

• The spicy tomato soup is delicious.

Both of the above sentences make sense. Therefore, taste is a linking verb.