Is a linking verb one that is not behaving as a verb?

Answer 1

The easy way to recognize a linking verb is that a linking verb acts as an equals sign, the object is a form of the subject (Mary is my sister. Mary=sister); or the subject becomes the object (My feet got wet. feet->wet).

A linking verb simply links the subject to the object. The linking verbs are usually a form of the verb to be or become, but other verbs can link. Examples:

Linking: I consider myself a genius.

Not linking: My mother considers me a genius.

Answer 2

A linking verb is a verb that connects the subject of a sentence to a noun or adjective that renames or describes the subject. It does not show action; instead, it links the subject to additional information about it. Examples include "is," "become," "seems," and "appear."