In our reference on linking verbs, we will explore what they are and how to use them in sentences. Linking verbs are verbs that connect the subject of a sentence to a subject complement, such as a noun or adjective. This means they don’t show action like regular verbs do, but instead link the subject to more information about it. In the reference, we will also distinguish linking verbs from action verbs. Let’s get started!
What Are Linking Verbs?
Linking verbs are verbs that do not show an action. Instead, they connect the subject of a sentence with more information about it. This information is usually a noun, pronoun, or adjective that tells us more about the subject.
👉 Example:
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“She is a teacher.” → is links the subject “She” to the complement “a teacher.”
Common linking verbs include am, is, are, was, were, seem, and become.
Unlike action verbs, they don’t show what the subject does, but what the subject is or what state it is in.
Types of Linking Verbs
Primary Linking Verbs
The most common is the verb to be (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been).
Examples:
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“She is a teacher.”
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“They were happy.”
Other verbs used only as linking verbs: become, seem.
Examples:
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“He became a doctor.”
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“She seems tired.”
Linking Verbs of the Senses
These verbs describe things we sense with eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and skin: look, smell, taste, sound, feel.
Examples:
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“The cake smells delicious.”
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“She feels cold.”
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“The music sounds beautiful.”
👉 In these sentences, the verbs don’t show action, but describe a state or quality of the subject.
Verbs That Can Be Linking or Action
Some verbs can be both action verbs and linking verbs, depending on the context.
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Action use: The verb shows something the subject does.
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Linking use: The verb shows the subject’s state or condition.
Examples:
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Action: “He smells the flower.” (What he is doing)
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Linking: “The flower smells sweet.” (State of the flower)
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Action: “She looks at the sky.”
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Linking: “She looks tired.”
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Action: “She grows tomatoes.”
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Linking: “She grows tired.”
Subject Complements
The word or phrase after a linking verb is called a subject complement. It gives more information about the subject.
Noun complement: renames the subject.
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“Tom is a teacher.”
Adjective complement: describes the subject.
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“She seems happy.”
👉 A simple pattern:
Subject + Linking Verb + Complement
Examples:
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“The sky is blue.”
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“They became friends.”
Linking Verbs vs. Auxiliary Verbs
It’s important not to confuse linking verbs with auxiliary (helping) verbs.
Linking verbs: connect the subject to more information.
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“She is a teacher.”
Auxiliary verbs: help the main verb show tense, voice, or mood.
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“She is running.” (is helps the main verb running)
| Linking Verbs | Auxiliary Verbs |
|---|---|
| Connect subject to complement | Help the main verb |
| Describe or rename the subject | Show tense, mood, or voice |
| Examples: is, seem, become | Examples: have, do, will, is (helping) |
Practical Exercises
Exercise 1: Complete the Sentences with the Correct Linking Verb
Choose the correct linking verb from the options provided to complete each sentence: is, feels, appears, smell, are, seem, become, taste.
- The book _______ interesting from the first chapter.
- His explanations _______ always complicated.
- The sky _______ cloudy today, it might rain.
- This fruit _______ too ripe, I can’t eat it.
- She _______ unhappy today, maybe something happened at school.
- The flowers in the garden _______ wonderful.
- All the answers on the quiz _______ correct.
- The story _______ to be true, but it’s actually fiction.
- These grapes _______ sour.
- He _______ a teacher before he retired.
Answers:
- appears – The book appears interesting from the first chapter.
- are – His explanations are always complicated.
- seems – The sky seems cloudy today, it might rain.
- tastes – This fruit tastes too ripe, I can’t eat it.
- seems – She seems unhappy today, maybe something happened at school.
- smell – The flowers in the garden smell wonderful.
- are – All the answers on the quiz are correct.
- seems – The story seems to be true, but it’s actually fiction.
- taste – These grapes taste sour.
- was – He was a teacher before he retired.
Exercise 2: Linking Verb or Action Verb?
Decide if the verb in each sentence is a linking verb (L) or an action verb (A). Then, correct the sentence if the usage of the verb is incorrect based on its context.
- He tastes the soup. (___)
- She looks beautiful today. (___)
- The results seem incorrect. (___)
- The cat feels the soft blanket. (___)
- They are at the park. (___)
- The lemonade tastes too sweet. (___)
- She smells the roses. (___)
- The book appears old and worn. (___)
- He grows impatient with the delay. (___)
- The children become tired after the hike. (___)
Answers:
- He tastes the soup. (A) – Action verb (correct as is, he is performing the action of tasting)
- She looks beautiful today. (L) – Linking verb (correct as is, describes her appearance)
- The results seem incorrect. (L) – Linking verb (correct as is, describes the results)
- The cat feels the soft blanket. (A) – Action verb (correct as is, the cat is performing the action of feeling)
- They are at the park. (L) – Linking verb (correct as is, states their location)
- The lemonade tastes too sweet. (L) – Linking verb (correct as is, describes the lemonade)
- She smells the roses. (A) – Action verb (correct as is, she is performing the action of smelling)
- The book appears old and worn. (L) – Linking verb (correct as is, describes the book)
- He grows impatient with the delay. (L) – Linking verb (correct as is, describes his state of being)
- The children become tired after the hike. (L) – Linking verb (correct as is, describes their state after the hike)
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