Mastering Linking Verbs: A Comprehensive Guide

Linking verbs are the unsung heroes of English grammar, quietly connecting the subject of a sentence to information about it. While often overlooked, a solid understanding of linking verbs is crucial for constructing grammatically sound and meaningful sentences.

This article will delve into the intricacies of linking verbs, providing clear definitions, numerous examples, and practical exercises to help you master their usage. Whether you’re a student, an ESL learner, or simply looking to brush up on your grammar skills, this guide will provide the knowledge and tools you need to confidently use linking verbs.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What are Linking Verbs?
3. Structural Breakdown of Linking Verbs
4. Types of Linking Verbs
   • Be-Verbs
   • Sense Verbs
   • Other Verbs
5. Examples of Linking Verbs in Sentences
   • Be-Verbs Examples
   • Sense Verbs Examples
   • Other Linking Verbs Examples
6. Usage Rules for Linking Verbs
   • Linking Verbs vs. Action Verbs
   • Linking Verbs and Predicate Nominatives
   • Linking Verbs and Predicate Adjectives
7. Common Mistakes with Linking Verbs
8. Practice Exercises
   • Exercise 1: Identifying Linking Verbs
   • Exercise 2: Choosing the Correct Linking Verb
   • Exercise 3: Linking Verbs or Action Verbs?
9. Advanced Topics
   • Subjunctive Mood with ‘Be’
   • Linking Verbs and Gerunds
10. Frequently Asked Questions
11. Conclusion

What are Linking Verbs?

A linking verb, unlike an action verb, does not describe an action. Instead, it connects the subject of a sentence to a noun or adjective that describes or renames the subject. In essence, it links the subject to its complement. This complement, which follows the linking verb, provides more information about the subject. It is crucial to differentiate linking verbs from action verbs to ensure correct sentence construction and meaning.

Linking verbs are also known as copular verbs. They essentially act as an equal sign (=) in a sentence, equating the subject with the information that follows the verb. For example, in the sentence “The sky is blue,” the verb “is” links the subject “sky” to the adjective “blue,” which describes the sky.

Structural Breakdown of Linking Verbs

The basic structure of a sentence with a linking verb is as follows:

Subject + Linking Verb + Subject Complement

The subject complement can be either a predicate nominative (a noun or pronoun that renames the subject) or a predicate adjective (an adjective that describes the subject). Understanding this structure is fundamental to identifying and correctly using linking verbs in your writing and speech. The subject complement provides essential information about the subject, completing the meaning of the sentence.

Consider these examples:

• The soup is delicious. (Delicious is a predicate adjective describing the soup.)
• John is a doctor. (Doctor is a predicate nominative renaming John.)

Types of Linking Verbs

Linking verbs can be broadly categorized into three main types: be-verbs, sense verbs, and other verbs that can function as linking verbs depending on the context.

Be-Verbs

Be-verbs are the most common type of linking verbs. They include all forms of the verb “to be”: am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been. These verbs are used to indicate a state of being or existence and are fundamental to sentence construction in English.

Examples:

• I am a student.
• She is happy.
• They are tired.
• He was late.
• We were excited.
• The flowers are blooming.

Sense Verbs

Sense verbs connect the subject to a quality perceived by one of the senses. These verbs include: look, smell, taste, sound, feel. However, it’s crucial to remember that these verbs can also function as action verbs, depending on the context. The key is whether the verb describes an action performed by the subject or simply links the subject to a descriptive word.

Examples:

• The roses smell sweet.
• The music sounds beautiful.
• The fabric feels soft.
• The food tastes delicious.
• She looks tired.

Other Verbs

Several other verbs can function as linking verbs, depending on the context. These include: become, seem, appear, grow, remain, stay, turn, prove. These verbs often indicate a change of state or a continued state of being. It’s important to analyze the sentence carefully to determine whether these verbs are functioning as linking verbs or action verbs.

Examples:

• He became a doctor.
• She seems happy.
• It appears complicated.
• He grew tired.
• They remained silent.
• The milk turned sour.
• The plan proved successful.

Examples of Linking Verbs in Sentences

To solidify your understanding, let’s examine a variety of examples of linking verbs in sentences, categorized by type.

Be-Verbs Examples

The following table provides numerous examples of be-verbs functioning as linking verbs, connecting the subject to a predicate adjective or predicate nominative.

Sentence	Subject	Linking Verb	Subject Complement	Type of Complement
I am happy.	I	am	happy	Predicate Adjective
She is a teacher.	She	is	a teacher	Predicate Nominative
They are students.	They	are	students	Predicate Nominative
He was angry.	He	was	angry	Predicate Adjective
We were late.	We	were	late	Predicate Adjective
The movie was interesting.	The movie	was	interesting	Predicate Adjective
The cake is delicious.	The cake	is	delicious	Predicate Adjective
The flowers are beautiful.	The flowers	are	beautiful	Predicate Adjective
My dog is playful.	My dog	is	playful	Predicate Adjective
The book is a masterpiece.	The book	is	a masterpiece	Predicate Nominative
The children are excited.	The children	are	excited	Predicate Adjective
The weather is cold.	The weather	is	cold	Predicate Adjective
The car is red.	The car	is	red	Predicate Adjective
My job is stressful.	My job	is	stressful	Predicate Adjective
Her dream is to travel.	Her dream	is	to travel	Predicate Nominative (Gerund)
The test was difficult.	The test	was	difficult	Predicate Adjective
The concert was amazing.	The concert	was	amazing	Predicate Adjective
His explanation was confusing.	His explanation	was	confusing	Predicate Adjective
The results were surprising.	The results	were	surprising	Predicate Adjective
The meeting was productive.	The meeting	was	productive	Predicate Adjective
The project is a success.	The project	is	a success	Predicate Nominative
The team is ready.	The team	is	ready	Predicate Adjective
The city is vibrant.	The city	is	vibrant	Predicate Adjective
The answer is correct.	The answer	is	correct	Predicate Adjective
The question is complex.	The question	is	complex	Predicate Adjective

This table provides a range of examples, demonstrating how be-verbs connect subjects to descriptive adjectives and nouns, enhancing our understanding of their function.

Sense Verbs Examples

Sense verbs, such as look, smell, taste, sound, and feel, can function as linking verbs when they connect the subject to a descriptive adjective related to sensory perception. The following table illustrates this usage.

Sentence	Subject	Linking Verb	Subject Complement
The roses smell fragrant.	The roses	smell	fragrant
The music sounds beautiful.	The music	sounds	beautiful
The fabric feels soft.	The fabric	feels	soft
The soup tastes delicious.	The soup	tastes	delicious
She looks tired.	She	looks	tired
The coffee smells strong.	The coffee	smells	strong
The idea sounds promising.	The idea	sounds	promising
The ground feels damp.	The ground	feels	damp
The dessert tastes sweet.	The dessert	tastes	sweet
He looks healthy.	He	looks	healthy
The air smells fresh.	The air	smells	fresh
The story sounds interesting.	The story	sounds	interesting
The blanket feels warm.	The blanket	feels	warm
The lemonade tastes sour.	The lemonade	tastes	sour
The sky looks clear.	The sky	looks	clear
The fireplace smells smoky.	The fireplace	smells	smoky
The plan sounds risky.	The plan	sounds	risky
The leather feels rough.	The leather	feels	rough
The sauce tastes spicy.	The sauce	tastes	spicy
She looks radiant.	She	looks	radiant
The perfume smells delicate.	The perfume	smells	delicate
The explanation sounds plausible.	The explanation	sounds	plausible
The silk feels smooth.	The silk	feels	smooth
The drink tastes bitter.	The drink	tastes	bitter
The building looks majestic.	The building	looks	majestic

By examining these examples, you can better understand how sense verbs function as linking verbs, connecting subjects to sensory descriptions.

Other Linking Verbs Examples

Verbs like become, seem, appear, grow, remain, stay, turn, and prove can also serve as linking verbs. These verbs often indicate a change of state or a continued state. Understanding their function as linking verbs is crucial for accurate sentence construction. The following table provides examples.

Sentence	Subject	Linking Verb	Subject Complement
He became a doctor.	He	became	a doctor
She seems happy.	She	seems	happy
It appears complicated.	It	appears	complicated
He grew tired.	He	grew	tired
They remained silent.	They	remained	silent
The milk turned sour.	The milk	turned	sour
The plan proved successful.	The plan	proved	successful
He became wealthy.	He	became	wealthy
She seems confident.	She	seems	confident
It appears simple.	It	appears	simple
He grew impatient.	He	grew	impatient
They remained loyal.	They	remained	loyal
The leaves turned brown.	The leaves	turned	brown
The experiment proved difficult.	The experiment	proved	difficult
The situation remained tense.	The situation	remained	tense
The food stayed warm.	The food	stayed	warm
The weather turned cold.	The weather	turned	cold
The strategy proved effective.	The strategy	proved	effective
The athlete became stronger.	The athlete	became	stronger
The solution seemed obvious.	The solution	seemed	obvious
The task appeared daunting.	The task	appeared	daunting
The child grew taller.	The child	grew	taller
The secret remained safe.	The secret	remained	safe
The sky turned dark.	The sky	turned	dark
The investment proved profitable.	The investment	proved	profitable

These examples demonstrate the versatility of these verbs and their ability to connect subjects to information about their state or condition.

Usage Rules for Linking Verbs

Understanding the rules governing the use of linking verbs is essential for constructing grammatically correct and meaningful sentences. It’s particularly important to distinguish between linking verbs and action verbs.

Linking Verbs vs. Action Verbs

The key difference between linking verbs and action verbs lies in their function. Action verbs describe an action performed by the subject, while linking verbs connect the subject to a descriptive word or phrase. Some verbs, like look, smell, taste, sound, and feel, can function as either linking verbs or action verbs, depending on the context.

Consider these examples:

• Linking Verb: She looks tired. (Looks connects “she” to the adjective “tired.”)
• Action Verb: She looks at the painting. (Looks describes the action of looking.)

To determine whether a verb is a linking verb or an action verb, try replacing it with a form of “to be.” If the sentence still makes sense, the verb is likely a linking verb. For example, “She is tired” makes sense, so “looks” is a linking verb in the original sentence.

Linking Verbs and Predicate Nominatives

A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject. It provides further information about the subject, essentially stating that the subject is the same as the predicate nominative.

Example:

• John is a doctor. (Doctor is a predicate nominative that renames John.)

Predicate nominatives must agree in number with the subject. If the subject is singular, the predicate nominative must also be singular.

If the subject is plural, the predicate nominative must be plural.

Linking Verbs and Predicate Adjectives

A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject. It modifies the subject, providing information about its qualities or characteristics.

Example:

• The sky is blue. (Blue is a predicate adjective that describes the sky.)

Predicate adjectives do not need to agree in number with the subject, as adjectives generally do not change form to indicate number.

Common Mistakes with Linking Verbs

One of the most common mistakes with linking verbs is confusing them with action verbs, particularly with sense verbs. Another frequent error involves incorrect subject-verb agreement.

Let’s look at some examples:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
He feels badly.	He feels bad.	“Badly” is an adverb, but we need an adjective (“bad”) to describe “he.”
The flowers smell sweetly.	The flowers smell sweet.	“Sweetly” is an adverb, but we need an adjective (“sweet”) to describe the flowers.
They are feel happy.	They feel happy.	“Are” is a be-verb. “Feel” is the appropriate linking verb here.
She looks at the flower sadly.	She looks sad.	In the first sentence, “looks at” is an action verb, with “sadly” modifying the action. The second sentence uses “looks” as a linking verb, with “sad” describing her state.
The cake tastes deliciously.	The cake tastes delicious.	“Deliciously” is an adverb, but we need an adjective (“delicious”) to describe the cake.
The music sounds loudly.	The music sounds loud.	“Loudly” is an adverb, but we need an adjective (“loud”) to describe the music.
He is seeming sad.	He seems sad.	The progressive form of “seem” is rarely used in this context.
The problem is appearing difficult.	The problem appears difficult.	The progressive form of “appear” is rarely used in this context.
It was proving hardly.	It proved hard.	“Hardly” has a different meaning than “hard.”

Understanding these common mistakes can help you avoid errors and use linking verbs correctly.

Practice Exercises

To test your understanding of linking verbs, complete the following exercises.

Exercise 1: Identifying Linking Verbs

Identify the linking verb in each of the following sentences. If the sentence does not contain a linking verb, write “None.”

Question	Answer
1. The coffee smells strong.	smells
2. She runs quickly.	None
3. He is a teacher.	is
4. The music sounds beautiful.	sounds
5. They played soccer.	None
6. The soup tastes salty.	tastes
7. The sky looks dark.	looks
8. The students study hard.	None
9. The fabric feels soft.	feels
10. The answer is correct.	is

Exercise 2: Choosing the Correct Linking Verb

Choose the correct linking verb to complete each sentence.

Question	Options	Answer
1. She ______ happy.	(a) is (b) runs (c) jumps	(a) is
2. The flowers ______ fragrant.	(a) smell (b) see (c) touch	(a) smell
3. He ______ a doctor.	(a) becomes (b) eats (c) throws	(a) becomes
4. The music ______ beautiful.	(a) sounds (b) watches (c) holds	(a) sounds
5. The fabric ______ soft.	(a) feels (b) grabs (c) kicks	(a) feels
6. The cake ______ delicious.	(a) tastes (b) sees (c) hears	(a) tastes
7. The sky ______ blue.	(a) looks (b) flies (c) sings	(a) looks
8. The milk ______ sour.	(a) turned (b) drank (c) ate	(a) turned
9. The plan ______ successful.	(a) proved (b) failed (c) tried	(a) proved
10. They ______ silent.	(a) remained (b) shouted (c) ran	(a) remained

Exercise 3: Linking Verbs or Action Verbs?

Determine whether the underlined verb is a linking verb or an action verb.

Question	Answer
1. She looks tired.	Linking Verb
2. She looks at the painting.	Action Verb
3. The coffee smells strong.	Linking Verb
4. He smells the coffee.	Action Verb
5. The fabric feels soft.	Linking Verb
6. He feels the fabric.	Action Verb
7. The soup tastes delicious.	Linking Verb
8. She tastes the soup.	Action Verb
9. The music sounds beautiful.	Linking Verb
10. He sounds the alarm.	Action Verb

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, exploring more nuanced aspects of linking verbs can further enhance their understanding and usage. These include the subjunctive mood with ‘be’ and the role of linking verbs with gerunds.

Subjunctive Mood with ‘Be’

The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, suggestions, or commands, often in clauses that begin with “if” or “that.” In certain contexts, the verb “be” takes the base form (“be”) regardless of the subject. This is common in formal writing and speech.

Example:

• It is essential that he be present. (Instead of “is”)

This usage is less common in informal settings, where “is” or “are” might be used instead. However, understanding the subjunctive mood is crucial for formal writing and standardized tests.

Linking Verbs and Gerunds

A gerund is a verb form ending in “-ing” that functions as a noun. Gerunds can serve as subject complements following linking verbs, providing more information about the subject.

This construction is common and adds nuance to sentence structure.

Example:

• Her favorite activity is reading. (Reading is a gerund functioning as a predicate nominative.)

Understanding how gerunds interact with linking verbs enhances your ability to construct complex and grammatically correct sentences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about linking verbs:

1. What is the difference between a linking verb and an action verb?

   An action verb describes an action performed by the subject, while a linking verb connects the subject to a word or phrase that describes or renames the subject. A linking verb does not describe an action.

2. How can I tell if a verb is a linking verb?

   Try replacing the verb with a form of “to be” (am, is, are, was, were). If the sentence still makes sense, the verb is likely a linking verb.

3. What are the most common linking verbs?

   The most common linking verbs are forms of “to be” (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been). Other common linking verbs include sense verbs (look, smell, taste, sound, feel) and verbs like become, seem, appear, grow, remain, stay, turn, and prove.

4. What is a predicate nominative?

   A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject. It provides further information about the subject.

5. What is a predicate adjective?

   A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject. It modifies the subject, providing information about its qualities or characteristics.

6. Can a verb be both a linking verb and an action verb?

   Yes, some verbs, like look, smell, taste, sound, and feel, can function as either linking verbs or action verbs, depending on the context. The key is whether the verb describes an action or connects the subject to a descriptive word or phrase.

7. Do linking verbs take direct objects?

   No, linking verbs do not take direct objects. They are followed by subject complements, which are either predicate nominatives or predicate adjectives.

8. Why is it important to understand linking verbs?

   Understanding linking verbs is crucial for constructing grammatically correct and meaningful sentences. It helps you avoid common errors, such as confusing linking verbs with action verbs, and ensures that your writing is clear and precise.

Conclusion

Mastering linking verbs is a fundamental step in achieving fluency and accuracy in English grammar. By understanding their function, types, and usage rules, you can construct clearer and more effective sentences.

Remember to distinguish linking verbs from action verbs, pay attention to subject complements, and practice identifying linking verbs in various contexts. With consistent effort and attention to detail, you can confidently use linking verbs to enhance your writing and communication skills.

Continue to practice identifying linking verbs in your reading and writing. Pay attention to how they connect the subject to descriptive information.

By actively engaging with the language, you’ll develop a strong intuition for using linking verbs correctly and effectively. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon master this important aspect of English grammar!