Understanding Linking Verbs (Grammar Rules, List, Examples, and More)

Linking verbs are a type of verb form that connects a subject of a sentence to an adjective, noun, or pronoun. It helps to complete the meaning of the verb. These include the verb forms “to be”; verbs relating to five senses (smell, touch, see, etc.) and other words that describe the subject.

Learn more about linking verbs and how they function in the English language…

What are linking verbs?

Verbs that do not demonstrate an action but rather describe the topic are referred to as linking verbs.

Verbs like “walk” and “jump” denote actions, whereas “linking” verbs like “be” and “seem” provide additional information about the topic at hand.

Linking verbs merely explain the status of the subject, such as what it is or how it appears. Examples are “is” and “looks.”

Because of this distinction, linking verbs are distinct from other sorts of verbs, such as ditransitive verbs, phrasal verbs, and impersonal verbs. All of the other verbs describe specific activities.

Linking verb definition

A linking verb is a verb that functions as a connecting link or identifies the subject and complement.

The purpose of linking verbs is to connect information rather than to describe an action.

Subject and Subject Complement

The part of a sentence or clause that is referred to as the subject in English grammar. It is used to denote the subject of the sentence as well as who or what is carrying out the action in the sentence.

Making a sentence into a yes-or-no question allows one to identify the subject of the sentence in the most straightforward manner possible.

The formation of questions in English is accomplished by switching the positions of the subject and the first verb that comes after it in the sentence.

On the other hand, a subject complement is a word or phrase that follows a connecting verb and identifies or describes the subject.

This type of complement comes after the linking verb. It could be an adjective, a noun, or a pronoun, but a subject complement is always one of these three.

Understanding the subjective case

The subjective case is the case that is used for a noun or pronoun that is the subject of a verb. This case can also be employed in other situations.

As an illustration:

• James plays the guitar.

The subject of the action verb “plays” is the noun “James,” and “James” is written in the subjective case. The form of a word does not change depending on its case in English. Pronouns, on the other hand, do.

• He plays the guitar.

The subject of the action verb “plays” is the pronoun “he,” which is why the subjective case is used for “he.”

• They play the guitar.

They are the subject of the action verb “plays,” hence the subjective case should be used for the pronoun “they.”

How to identify a linking verb

A number of verbs are capable of functioning either as linking verbs or as action verbs. There is an exception of the three most important linking verbs, which are always linking verbs.

What makes them different is how they are put to use. This is especially true in relation to sensory verbs, which can function either way.

When a verb is employed in the role of describing the subject, we refer to that verb as a connecting verb. If you want to determine whether or not a sentence contains a linking verb, look for the presence of a subject complement at the end of the phrase.

• Selena looks lovely today.

In this context, the verb look functions as a linking verb because it provides a description of Selena’s appearance. In addition, you can tell that it is a linking verb because of the subject complement lovely today, which describes how Selena appears to be.

Some frequently used action verbs can also serve as connecting verbs in one or both of a couple of different contexts.

When used as linking verbs, these verbs frequently appear alongside particular other words, which serves as a clue to the reader.

Understanding a linking verb and action verb (differences)

Words that are employed to define an activity, condition, or event are called verbs.

Verbs come in a variety of forms, and two of those forms, known as action verbs and linking verbs, are used to describe activities and states, respectively.

One of the most significant distinctions that can be made between action verbs and linking verbs is that action verbs convey an action. On the other hand, linking verbs indicate a state.

What are “action verbs”?

A term that communicates an action is known as an action verb. It is possible for it to denote an activity, a process, a transitory action, or a physical condition.

When used in a sentence, action verbs particularly relate to the activity carried out by the subject of the phrase. Action verbs are also sometimes referred to as dynamic verbs.

Action verbs are used to describe what a person, animal, or object is capable of doing. It is critical to keep in mind that action verbs can refer to either physical or mental actions.

Examples:

• James drank water.
• Selena ran up the hills.

What exactly are linking verbs?

Verbs that communicate a state are known as linking verbs. Verbs that serve as linking devices connect the subject of a sentence to a word or phrase in the predicate.

Verbs that act as linkers help to further identify or describe the issue being discussed.

Examples:

• James is the brother of our boss.
• The ice cream tastes like mint and chocolate.

The distinction between linking verbs and action verbs

A verb known as an action verb is one that denotes an action. On the other hand, a linking verb is a type of verb that connects the subject to the complement that it receives.

Linking verb examples

• James was one of the brightest students in the batch.
• Selena became really scared of the pranksters on Halloween night.
• The new promotion terms seem too good to be true.
• All the students grew silent when the new professor walked into the class.
• The new ice cream flavor tastes fantastic.

Common linking verbs (list)

The most common linking verbs are:

• seems
• be
• because
• was
• feels
• is
• am
• are
• being
• becomes
• were
• appears
• act
• acted
• am
• appear
• appeared to be
• are
• are being
• be
• became
• become
• can be
• come
• could be
• could have come
• did
• do
• does
• fall
• feel
• fell
• felt
• get
• go
• got
• grew
• grow
• had
• had become
• had seemed
• has
• has appeared

Permanent linking verbs

• be
• become
• seem

Sensory linking verbs

• appear
• feel
• look
• smell
• sound
• taste

Conditional linking verbs

• act
• constitute
• come
• equal
• fall
• get
• go
• grow
• keep
• prove
• remain
• stay
• turn

More linking verbs:

Linking verbs	Linking verbs	Linking verbs	Linking verbs
act	acted	am	appear
appeared to be	are	are being	be
became	become	can be	come
could be	could have come	did	do
does	fall	feel	fell
felt	get	go	got
grew	grow	had	had become
had been	had seemed	has	has appeared
has become	has been	has seemed	have
have appeared	have become	have been	have seemed
indicate	is	is being	is getting
keep	look	looked	may be
might be	might have been	must	prove
remain	remained	seem	seemed
seeming	seems	shall be	shall have been
should be	should have appeared	should have been	smell
sound	stay	stayed	taste
tasted	turn	was	was being
wax	waxed	went	were
will be	will become	will have become	will have been

Is “from” a linking verb?

No, ‘from’ is not a linking verb.

Why is “from” not a linking verb?

Because it is a preposition, “from” cannot function as a connecting verb.

Alternatives to “from” when wanting to use a linking verb

Combining short and choppy phrases together can avoid the necessity for a linking verb and allow ‘from’ to be replaced with another word.

Sentence examples of alternatives to “from” when wanting to use a linking verb

• James took a break from his work.
• James took a work break.

And:

• Selena hid from the pranksters.
• The pranksters caused Selena to hide.

Is “had” a linking verb?

No, ‘had’ is not a linking verb.

Why is “had” not a linking verb?

‘Had’ is not a linking verb because it is a helping verb. It is used with a main verb to show what action is happening.

Is “smell” a linking verb?

The word “smell” can function either as a linking verb or an action verb.

Is “can” a linking verb?

Can is not a linking verb. “Can” is a modal.

Is “appears” a linking verb?

‘Appears’ is a linking verb that is used quite frequently.

Is “be” a linking verb?

Yes, ‘be’ is a linking verb.

Is “become” a linking verb?

Yes, ‘became’ is a linking verb.

Is “should” a linking verb?

No, should is not a linking verb. It is a modal, which is a type of helping verb.

Sources:

1. What Are Linking Verbs? (with Examples)
2. Linking Verbs: Definition and Examples
3. What Are Linking Verbs? List And Examples
4. What Are Subject Complements in English Grammar?
5. Subject in English Grammar
6. What Is the Subjective Case? (with Examples)
7. Moving Descriptors: Linking Verbs, Action Verbs, and Helping Verbs
8. Difference Between Action and Linking Verbs
9. Replacing To Be Verbs
10. LEARNING ABOUT ACTION VERBS AND LINKING VERBS