In English, verbs are crucial for expressing actions, states of being, and occurrences. While many verbs describe actions, others are used to link the subject of a sentence to more information. These verbs are known as Linking Verbs In English, and they play a key role in sentence construction.
But what exactly are linking verbs? Simply put, linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a subject complement (an adjective or noun) that describes or identifies it. This is different from action verbs, which show what the subject does. Understanding linking verbs is essential for constructing clear, grammatically correct sentences.
In this guide, we’ll explore the basics of Linking Verbs In English, how to use them, and provide examples that will help you master this crucial aspect of English grammar.
What is a Linking Verbs In English?
A linking verb does not show action. Instead, it connects the subject of a sentence with a complement, which can be either an adjective or a noun that provides additional information about the subject.
For example, in the sentence “She is happy,” the verb “is” links the subject “she” with the complement “happy,” which describes her state.
Fundamental Traits of Linking Verbs
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No Action: Linking verbs do not express action. They merely link the subject to its complement.
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Subject Complement: The complement can either describe the subject (using adjectives) or identify the subject (using nouns).
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Not Passive: Linking verbs do not allow passive voice construction. For example, “The cake is baked” works, but “The cake is tasted” doesn’t.
Common Types of Linking Verbs In English
Linking verbs can be categorized into different types based on their function. While some verbs are always linking, others can function as either linking verbs or action verbs, depending on the context.
1. Permanent Linking Verbs
These are verbs that are almost always used as linking verbs and cannot function as action verbs in most contexts. The most common of these is the verb “be”.
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Examples:
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“She is a teacher.”
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“He was tired.”
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2. Sensory Linking Verbs
These verbs are related to sensory perception and can sometimes act as action verbs. The sensory linking verbs include: look, feel, taste, smell, and sound.
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Examples:
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“The cake smells delicious.” (Linking)
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“She looked at the painting.” (Action)
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3. Verbs of Change or Condition
These linking verbs indicate a change in the subject’s state or condition. They include verbs like become, grow, turn, remain, and stay.
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Examples:
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“He became excited.”
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“The weather remained calm.”
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A Comprehensive List of Linking Verbs In English
Here’s a list of common linking verbs used in English:
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Be (am, is, are, was, were, etc.)
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Become
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Seem
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Appear
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Remain
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Feel
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Look
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Smell
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Sound
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Taste
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Stay
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Grow
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Turn
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Prove
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Get
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Go
This list includes both permanent linking verbs like be and verbs that can sometimes function as action verbs, depending on the context.
How to Use Linking Verbs In English
Linking verbs are used to connect the subject of a sentence with a subject complement. The complement provides more information about the subject and can either be a noun or an adjective.
Types of Subject Complements:
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Predicate Nominative (Noun): This is a noun or noun phrase that renames or identifies the subject.
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Example: “She is a doctor.”
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Predicate Adjective: This is an adjective or adjective phrase that describes the subject.
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Example: “The cake smells delicious.”
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By using linking verbs, you can enhance your sentence structure, adding more detail and clarity.
Examples of Linking Verbs in Sentences
Here are some examples of linking verbs used in sentences to help you understand how they function in different contexts:
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“He is tall.” (Linking verb + adjective)
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“The soup tastes salty.” (Linking verb + adjective)
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“She became an engineer.” (Linking verb + noun)
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“They look tired.” (Linking verb + adjective)
In each of these examples, the linking verb connects the subject to a subject complement (an adjective or noun) that describes or identifies the subject.
How to Identify Linking Verbs In English
Identifying linking verbs in sentences is essential for understanding their role. While some verbs are always linking, others can function as either action verbs or linking verbs. Here’s how to identify them:
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Check for the Subject Complement: Linking verbs are followed by a subject complement (either a noun or an adjective). If there is no action performed on an object, it’s likely a linking verb.
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Example: “The flowers are beautiful.”
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“Are” is the linking verb, and “beautiful” is the subject complement (an adjective describing the subject).
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Context Matters: Some verbs can act as both linking and action verbs, depending on the context. For example, “look” can be an action verb when it refers to physical action, and a linking verb when it refers to appearance.
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Action: “She looked at the picture.”
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Linking: “She looked beautiful.”
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Rules for Using Linking Verbs In English
To use linking verbs correctly, here are some important rules to remember:
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Use Adjectives, Not Adverbs: When using linking verbs, make sure you use adjectives, not adverbs, to describe the subject.
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Incorrect: “The runner is quickly.”
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Correct: “The runner is quick.”
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Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure that the linking verb agrees with the subject in number (singular or plural). Even if the subject complement is plural, the verb should still match the subject.
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Example: “Her favorite desserts are pies.”
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Adverbs Can Modify Linking Verbs: While adjectives are used to describe the subject, adverbs can be used to modify the linking verb itself.
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Example: “He gradually became kinder.”
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Common Mistakes with Linking Verbs In English
Even though linking verbs may seem simple, there are some common mistakes that learners make. Understanding these mistakes and how to avoid them will help ensure that your sentences are clear, accurate, and grammatically correct.
1. Confusing Linking Verbs with Action Verbs
Some verbs can be both linking and action verbs, depending on the context. One of the most common errors is confusing when a verb is acting as a linking verb and when it’s functioning as an action verb.
Example:
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Linking verb: “The cake smells delicious.”
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Here, “smells” is a linking verb because it describes the subject, “cake.”
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Action verb: “He smells the flowers.”
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In this case, “smells” is an action verb because it describes an action the subject is performing on an object.
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To avoid confusion, check whether the verb is describing the subject or whether it’s showing what the subject is doing to an object.
2. Using Adverbs Instead of Adjectives with Linking Verbs In English
When using linking verbs, you should always follow them with adjectives to describe the subject, not adverbs. Adverbs typically modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, but not the subject.
Incorrect: “The soup tastes badly.”
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Here, “badly” is an adverb, but we need an adjective to describe the soup.
Correct: “The soup tastes bad.”
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“Bad” is the adjective describing the soup, which is correct.
3. Overusing “Be” as the Only Linking Verbs In English
While the verb “be” is one of the most common linking verbs, it’s easy to overuse it. English has a variety of linking verbs that can provide more depth and nuance to your sentences. Don’t feel restricted to only using “be” or “am.” Instead, experiment with other linking verbs that add more detail to your sentence.
Example:
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Instead of saying, “She is tired,” you could say, “She looks tired” or “She seems tired,” which conveys a slightly different meaning or emphasis.
4. Using Linking Verbs in Passive Voice
One key thing to remember is that linking verbs cannot be used in the passive voice. Unlike action verbs, which can be transformed into passive voice (e.g., “The book was read by her”), linking verbs do not allow for such transformation.
Incorrect: “The house was remained quiet.”
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You can’t use “was remained” in a passive form.
Correct: “The house remained quiet.”
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Here, “remained” is correctly used as a linking verb with an adjective complement.
5. Misidentifying Linking Verbs in Complex Sentences
In complex sentences, it’s easy to misidentify whether a verb is functioning as a linking verb or an action verb. Always check for the subject complement (whether it’s a noun or adjective) that follows the verb. If no complement follows, or if the verb is describing an action being done to something, then it’s likely an action verb.
Example:
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“The kids grew tired after the long day.”
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Here, “grew” is a linking verb describing the subject’s state of being.
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“The kids grew vegetables in the garden.”
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In this case, “grew” is an action verb, showing what the kids did.
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6. Confusing Sensory Verbs in Action and Linking Contexts
As mentioned earlier, sensory verbs like look, sound, feel, and taste can act as both linking and action verbs. The key is to identify whether they are describing the subject or performing an action.
Example:
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Linking verb: “The music sounds beautiful.”
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Action verb: “He sounds the horn.”
To check for linking verbs, see if the sentence is about the subject’s condition (described by an adjective) or action performed on something (which would be a true action verb).
How to Improve Your Use of Linking Verbs In English
Now that you are aware of the common mistakes, let’s look at some tips on how to improve your understanding and use of linking verbs.
1. Practice with Adjective and Noun Complements
Linking verbs are typically followed by adjectives or nouns (subject complements). To improve your grammar, practice forming sentences with linking verbs and adding the appropriate complements.
Example:
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“The child was happy.”
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“The tree is tall.”
Try switching between different linking verbs and adding adjectives or nouns as complements.
2. Use a Variety of Linking Verbs In English
Expand your vocabulary by incorporating a variety of linking verbs like seem, remain, appear, and feel into your writing. This will make your sentences more dynamic and help you avoid overusing “be.”
Example:
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“She looked upset.” (Instead of “She was upset.”)
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“The soup tasted spicy.” (Instead of “The soup was spicy.”)
3. Identify Linking Verbs in Context
When reading or writing, identify the linking verbs in context. Pay attention to how they connect the subject with its complement and check whether the verb expresses a state or condition, not an action. This will help you internalize how linking verbs function.
4. Review Sentence Structure
In sentences with linking verbs, remember the basic structure: Subject + Linking Verb + Subject Complement. This structure will guide you in recognizing when to use linking verbs and how to form grammatically correct sentences.
(FAQs) about Linking Verbs
1. What is a linking verb?
A linking verb connects the subject of a sentence to additional information about the subject, such as a description or identity. Unlike action verbs, linking verbs do not describe actions; instead, they help express the state or condition of the subject.
Example:
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“She is happy.”
In this sentence, “is” is the linking verb that connects the subject, “she,” to the description “happy.”
2. Can a linking verb be used in the passive voice?
No, linking verbs cannot be used in the passive voice because they do not express action. Only action verbs can be transformed into the passive voice.
Example:
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Incorrect: “The cake was smelled.”
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Correct: “The cake smells delicious.”
3. What are some common linking verbs?
Here are some common linking verbs:
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Be (am, is, are, was, were, etc.)
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Become
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Seem
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Feel
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Look
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Smell
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Sound
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Taste
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Remain
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Stay
These linking verbs connect the subject to a subject complement that describes or identifies it.
4. How do I identify linking verbs in a sentence?
To identify a linking verb, check for the subject complement that follows it. If the verb is connecting the subject to a description or identification, it’s a linking verb. Remember, linking verbs never show action.
Example:
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“The soup tastes salty.”
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“He became a teacher.”
In both cases, the linking verb connects the subject to its complement (an adjective or noun).
5. Can linking verbs also be action verbs?
Yes, many linking verbs can also function as action verbs, depending on the context. For example, the verb “look” can be a linking verb when describing the subject, or an action verb when describing the act of looking at something.
Examples:
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Linking verb: “He looks tired.”
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Action verb: “He looks at the painting.”
To determine if a verb is a linking verb or an action verb, consider the meaning and the structure of the sentence.
6. What are predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives?
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Predicate Nominative: A noun or noun phrase that renames or identifies the subject.
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Example: “She is a doctor.”
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Predicate Adjective: An adjective or adjective phrase that describes the subject.
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Example: “The cake is delicious.”
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These complements are typically used with linking verbs to provide more information about the subject.
7. Are linking verbs always followed by adjectives?
No, linking verbs can be followed by both adjectives and nouns. When a linking verb is followed by a noun, it’s called a predicate nominative, and when followed by an adjective, it’s called a predicate adjective.
Examples:
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Predicate nominative: “She is a teacher.”
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Predicate adjective: “She is happy.”
8. How can I avoid common mistakes with linking verbs?
To avoid common mistakes:
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Ensure that you are using adjectives (not adverbs) to describe the subject after the linking verb.
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Be mindful of context when using sensory verbs (e.g., “look,” “taste”) as they can function as both linking and action verbs.
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Don’t try to form passive constructions with linking verbs, as they are not designed for that.
9. How do I use linking verbs in different tenses?
Linking verbs can be used in all tenses, just like action verbs. The main difference is that they always connect the subject to a subject complement rather than indicating an action.
Examples:
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Present tense: “She is tired.”
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Past tense: “She was tired.”
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Future tense: “She will be tired.”
Conclusion On Linking Verbs In English
Linking Verbs In English might seem simple, but they’re crucial for making your sentences clear and grammatically correct. By connecting the subject to more details—whether it’s a description or identity—linking verbs help add depth and meaning to your writing. Whether you’re describing a state of being, a change, or something related to sensory perception, these verbs make sure your ideas come across smoothly.
Remember, linking verbs are not about action—they’re all about making connections. From be to seem, feel, and look, these verbs create a bridge between the subject and its complement, helping you express yourself more effectively. By understanding their rules, how to use them, and avoiding common mistakes, you’ll feel more confident writing clear, well-structured sentences.
So, take a moment to explore how linking verbs work in your own sentences. With practice, you’ll naturally start using them to improve your writing and communicate more clearly. Keep this guide handy as you continue mastering English grammar—you’re well on your way!
