Linking Verb

A linking verb connects the subject of a sentence to additional information about that subject, serving as a bridge to describe or identify it. In English grammar, linking verbs are essential because they link the subject with a noun, pronoun, or adjective that provides more detail. Common linking verbs include “am,” “is,” “are,” “was,” and “were.” These verbs do not show action but rather a state of being or condition, helping to complete the meaning of sentences by tying the subject to descriptive words or phrases. Understanding linking verbs is crucial for mastering the fundamentals of English grammar and improving sentence structure.

What is a Linking Verb?

A linking verb connects the subject of a sentence to a subject complement, such as an adjective or noun, that describes or identifies the subject. Unlike action verbs, linking verbs do not show action. Common examples include “am,” “is,” “are,” “was,” “were,” “be,” “seem,” “become,” and “feel.” For instance, in “She is a teacher,” “is” links “She” to “teacher.“

Types of Linking Verb

1. Forms of “To Be”:
These include “am,” “is,” “are,” “was,” “were,” “be,” “being,” and “been.” They link the subject to a state of being or condition.

2. Sensory Verbs:
These verbs describe senses and include “look,” “sound,” “smell,” “taste,” and “feel.” They link the subject to sensory descriptions.

3. Verbs of Becoming:
These verbs indicate a change of state and include “become,” “seem,” “grow,” “turn,” “appear,” and “remain.” They link the subject to a new state or condition.

List of Linking Verb Examples

Am	Appear	Get	Continue	Result
Is	Become	Keep	Stand	Exist
Are	Seem	Go	Run	Occur
Was	Grow	Fall	Lie	Happen
Were	Remain	Come	End	Seem
Be	Stay	Continue	Result	Stay
Being	Look	Stand	Exist	Resemble
Been	Sound	Run	Occur	Keep
Appear	Smell	Lie	Happen	Appear
Become	Taste	End	Seem	Come

Examples of Linking Verb in Sentences

1. She is a teacher.
2. They are excited about the trip.
3. He was tired after the game.
4. The cookies were delicious.
5. I am happy today.
6. The sky is blue.
7. It has been a great day.
8. The cake smells wonderful.
9. The flowers look beautiful.
10. The soup tastes salty.
11. The room feels cold.
12. She seems upset.
13. He became a doctor.
14. The situation appears difficult.
15. The music sounds loud.
16. They remained calm during the storm.
17. The milk turned sour.
18. She stayed quiet.
19. The decision proved wise.
20. The project continued smoothly.

Rules of Linking Verb

• 1. Link Subject to Complement: A linking verb connects the subject to additional information.
• 2. No Action Indicated: Linking verbs do not show action. Instead, they describe a state or condition.
• 3. Use Forms of “To Be”: Forms of “to be” such as “am,” “is,” “are,” “was,” and “were” serve as linking verbs.
• 4. Sensory Descriptions: Sensory verbs like “look,” “smell,” “feel,” “taste,” and “sound” act as linking verbs when describing the subject’s state.
• 5. Indicate Change of State: Verbs like “become,” “grow,” and “turn” show a change in state. For example, “He became a musician.”
• 6. Followed by Adjectives or Nouns: Linking verbs are often followed by adjectives or nouns that provide more information about the subject.
• 7. No Direct Objects: Linking verbs do not take direct objects. They connect the subject to a subject complement.
• 8. Can Be Replaced by “=”: If you can replace the verb with “=” and the sentence still makes sense, it is likely a linking verb.
• 9. Can Exist in Various Tenses: Linking verbs can appear in different tenses to match the sentence’s context.
• 10. May Combine with Helping Verbs: Linking verbs can pair with helping verbs to form different tenses.

Functions of Linking Verb

1. Describe State of Being: Linking verbs describe the subject’s current state.
2. Connect Subject to Adjective: Linking verbs link the subject to an adjective that describes it.
3. Connect Subject to Noun: Linking verbs link the subject to a noun that renames or identifies it.
4. Indicate Sensory Experience: Linking verbs describe sensory experiences of the subject.
5. Show Change of State: Linking verbs indicate a change in the subject’s state or condition.
6. Provide Subject Complement: Linking verbs provide additional information about the subject through a complement.
7. Link to Condition: Linking verbs link the subject to its condition.
8. Identify Role or Identity: Linking verbs identify the subject’s role or identity.
9. Describe Appearance: Linking verbs describe how the subject appears.
10. Convey Existence: Linking verbs convey the existence or presence of the subject.

How to Use Linking Verb