Linking verbs in English | Definition & Examples

Have you ever wondered how we connect different parts of a sentence? Well, that's where linking verbs come into play! 

Linking verbs are special because they don't show action. This sets them apart from other types of verbs, such as action verbs, phrasal verbs, or helping verbs, which all describe/ express actions. Instead, they link the subject of a sentence to more information about the subject.

For instance, in the sentence "She is happy," the word "is" is a linking verb. It connects "She" (the subject) to "happy" (the description). With the linking verb, the sentence would make more sense.

Linking verbs help us describe or identify the subject without showing any action. Some common linking verbs include "am," "is," "are," "was," and "were." Others can be a bit tricky, like "seems," "becomes," and "appears."

What is a Linking Verb?

According to Merriam-Webster, 

“A linking verb connects a subject with a word or words that describe or identify the subject.”

The subject complement can be a noun, pronoun, or adjective that provides additional information about the subject. 

Examples of Linking Verbs

Here are some linking verbs examples sentences:

• Forms of "to be": The most common linking verbs are forms of the verb "to be." These verbs simply connect the subject to a state of being or identity.
• • She is a student.
  • They are happy.
  • He was tired.
• Sensory verbs: These verbs relate to the senses and often link the subject to an adjective that describes the subject’s state or condition.
• • The cake smells delicious.
  • The music sounds soothing.
  • The fabric feels soft.
• Other linking verbs: Other verbs function as linking verbs, connecting the subject to additional information about its state or condition.
• • She became a lawyer.
  • He seems upset.
  • The problem remains unsolved.

• Auxiliary Linking Verbs: These verbs are also known as helping verbs. They can sometimes function as linking verbs when used in combination with other verbs to form different tenses, moods, or voices.
• • She has been a great friend. (The auxiliary verb "has" helps form the present perfect tense.)
  • He had become a successful entrepreneur. (The auxiliary verb "had" helps form the past perfect tense.)
  • They will be excited to see you. (The auxiliary verb "will" helps form the future tense.)
  • You can be anything you want. (The auxiliary verb "can" helps form the modal verb structure.)

How to Use Linking Verbs in Sentences 

Every sentence has two main parts: a subject and a predicate. 

The subject is a noun or pronoun that performs the action or is described, usually at the beginning of a sentence. The predicate, on the other hand, tells something about the subject. With action verbs, the predicate describes what the subject is doing. 

However, linking verbs work differently. Instead of describing an action, they connect the subject to additional information that describes or identifies it. This additional information is called a subject complement. 

There are two types of subject complements for linking verbs: predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives.

Predicate Nominative (Predicate Noun)

A predicate nominative is a noun or noun phrase that follows a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject. It provides a new name or identity for the subject.

• Example: At the reunion, Mark was the keynote speaker and a guest of honor.

In this sentence, "was" is the linking verb that connects the subject "Mark" to the predicate nominatives "the keynote speaker and a guest of honor." These nouns rename and identify what Mark was at the reunion.

Predicate Adjective

A predicate adjective is an adjective or adjective phrase that follows a linking verb and describes the subject. It provides more information about the state or condition of the subject.

• Example: The movie is interesting but quite long.

Here, "is" is the linking verb that connects the subject "The movie" to the predicate adjectives "interesting" and "long." These adjectives describe the state of the movie.

It's important to note that subject complements can include phrases, not just single words. Let's look at another example:

• Example: The students felt relieved after the final exam.

In this sentence, "felt" is the linking verb. The subject complement is "relieved," which is a predicate adjective describing "The students." The phrase "after the final exam" explains why they felt relieved, making it part of the predicate.

How to Identify Linking Verbs

Identifying linking verbs involves understanding their role in connecting the subject of a sentence to additional information or describing a state of being. 

Here's how you can recognize and use linking verbs correctly:

1. Three Main Linking Verbs: Certain verbs such as "be," "become," and "seem" always function as linking verbs, connecting the subject to a description or state:

• Example: She is an artist.

2. Subject Complement Check: Linking verbs are typically followed by a subject complement that further describes or renames the subject:

• Example: The cake smells delicious. (Linking verb with "delicious" as the subject complement.)

3. Differentiating from Action Verbs: Verbs like "look" can be both linking and action verbs, depending on their usage:

• Example of a linking verb: The sunset looks beautiful. (Connects "sunset" to the description "beautiful.")
• Example of action verb: She looks through the window. (Describes the action of looking.)

4. Verbs with Context: Some verbs act as linking verbs in specific contexts, indicating a condition rather than an action.

• Example: The milk tastes sour. (Linking verb describing the taste of the milk.)
• Verbs such as "go," "fall," "prove," "act," "come," "grow," "get," "turn," "remain," "stay," and "keep" can function as linking verbs when describing a change or state. 

Rules for Linking Verbs

Understanding how to correctly use linking verbs involves following specific rules that ensure clarity and grammatical correctness in your writing.

Subject Complement Types

Use adjectives, not adverbs, as subject complements. Adverbs describe actions (verbs) and not the subjects (nouns) that linking verbs connect to. 

• Incorrect: "She is quickly."
• Correct: "She is quick."

However, adverbs can describe the linking verb itself, not the subject:

• "He gradually became more determined."
• "She hardly seems interested."

Subject-Verb Agreement

Linking verbs must agree with the subject in terms of number and person, even when the predicate nominative (noun following the linking verb) differs in number or form.

• Incorrect:  "The weirdest animal is giraffes."
• Correct: "The weirdest animal is the giraffe."
• Correct: "Giraffes are the weirdest animals."

Avoid Using Linking Verbs in Passive Voice

Linking verbs are typically used to connect the subject to a description or identity. Using them in passive voice constructions can weaken the clarity and directness of your sentences.

• Passive Voice: "The decision was considered wise by the committee."
• Active Voice (better): "The committee considered the decision wise."

Linking Verb List

Here is the list of common linking verbs used in the English language: 

• Be (am, is, are, was, were, been, being)
• Become
• Seem
• Remain
• Grow
• Stay
• Look
• Turn 
• Feel 
• Sound
• Appear
• Taste
• Smell
• Sound
• Stay 
• Keep 

Action vs Linking Verbs

Let’s take a look at how action and linking verbs differ and how to identify them:

Linking Verbs vs Helping Verbs

Understanding the differences between helping and linking verbs is essential in grammar. Here’s how these types of verbs differ and their respective roles:

Linking Verbs Worksheet

Let’s test your understating with the help of this linking verbs exercise. 

Throughout this blog, we've explored the definition and examples of linking verbs, their function, and how to distinguish them from action verbs.

By recognizing linking verbs, you can enhance their ability to construct clear and coherent sentences. 

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