Linking Verbs: A Comprehensive Guide with Examples & Exercises

Understanding linking verbs is crucial for mastering English grammar. These verbs don’t describe actions; instead, they connect the subject of a sentence to a word or phrase that describes or identifies the subject.

This guide provides a thorough exploration of linking verbs, covering their definition, structural roles, various types, and usage rules. Whether you’re a student, a teacher, or simply an English enthusiast, this article will equip you with the knowledge and practice you need to confidently use linking verbs in your writing and speech.

Table of Contents

• Definition of Linking Verbs
• Structural Breakdown of Linking Verbs
• Types and Categories of Linking Verbs
• Be-Verbs
• Sense Verbs
• State-of-Being Verbs
• Appearing Verbs
• Examples of Linking Verbs
• Be-Verbs Examples
• Sense-Verbs Examples
• State-of-Being Verbs Examples
• Appearing Verbs Examples
• Usage Rules for Linking Verbs
• Common Mistakes with Linking Verbs
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Conclusion

Definition of Linking Verbs

A linking verb, also known as a copular verb, connects the subject of a sentence to a noun or adjective that describes or renames the subject. Unlike action verbs, which describe what the subject does, linking verbs describe what the subject is. They essentially equate the subject with the information that follows the verb. This information can be a noun (a predicate nominative or subject complement) or an adjective (a predicate adjective).

The primary function of a linking verb is to establish a relationship between the subject and its complement. The complement provides additional information about the subject, essentially expanding our understanding of it.

This connection is what distinguishes linking verbs from other types of verbs. Without a linking verb, the sentence would lack a critical element that clarifies or describes the subject.

Consider the sentence, “The sky is blue.” Here, “is” is the linking verb. It connects the subject “sky” to the adjective “blue,” which describes the sky. The verb doesn’t show any action performed by the sky; rather, it links the sky to its characteristic color. Similarly, in the sentence “He became a doctor,” the verb “became” links the subject “He” to the noun “doctor,” identifying his profession. The subject and the complement are essentially the same entity, just viewed from different perspectives.

Structural Breakdown of Linking Verbs

The basic structure of a sentence with a linking verb is relatively straightforward: 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 essential for identifying and using linking verbs correctly.

A predicate nominative follows a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject. For instance, in the sentence “John is the president,” the word “president” is a predicate nominative because it renames John. The subject and predicate nominative refer to the same person or thing. The predicate nominative provides more information about the subject by specifying a role, identity, or category to which the subject belongs.

A predicate adjective, on the other hand, follows a linking verb and describes the subject. In the sentence “The soup tastes delicious,” the word “delicious” is a predicate adjective because it describes the soup. The predicate adjective provides a quality or characteristic of the subject, enhancing the descriptive nature of the sentence. It offers insight into the subject’s attributes, feelings, or condition.

It’s important to distinguish between linking verbs and action verbs. An action verb shows what the subject does (e.g., “She runs fast”). A linking verb, however, connects the subject to its description or identity (e.g., “She is a runner”). The key difference lies in the function of the verb within the sentence. Does it show action, or does it establish a connection between the subject and additional information about it?

Types and Categories of Linking Verbs

While the verb “to be” is the most common linking verb, many other verbs can function as linking verbs depending on the context. These verbs can be broadly categorized into several groups, each with its unique characteristics.

Understanding these categories can help you identify linking verbs more easily and use them more effectively.

Be-Verbs

The be-verbs are the most frequently used linking verbs. They include am, is, are, was, were, be, being, and been. These verbs are versatile and can be used in a variety of contexts to connect the subject to its description or identity. They form the foundation of many sentences that express states of being or conditions.

For example: “I am a student,” “They are happy,” “She was tired,” “It will be sunny.” In each of these sentences, a be-verb links the subject to a noun or adjective that describes it. The be-verbs provide a simple yet powerful way to convey information about the subject’s current state or identity.

Sense Verbs

Sense verbs describe how something is perceived through the senses. These verbs include look, sound, smell, taste, and feel. However, it’s crucial to note that these verbs are only linking verbs when they describe a quality or state, not an action. The context of the sentence determines whether a sense verb is acting as a linking verb or an action verb.

For example, “The flower smells sweet” (linking verb) versus “He smells the flower” (action verb). In the first sentence, “smells” links the flower to the adjective “sweet,” describing its scent. In the second sentence, “smells” describes the action of perceiving the flower’s scent. The distinction lies in whether the verb connects the subject to a description or shows an action performed by the subject.

State-of-Being Verbs

State-of-being verbs describe a condition or state of existence. These verbs include become, seem, appear, grow, remain, stay, and turn. They indicate a change in state or a continuing condition. Like sense verbs, these verbs can also function as action verbs depending on the context.

For example, “He became a teacher” (linking verb) versus “He became angry” (linking verb); “She grew taller” (linking verb) versus “She grew vegetables” (action verb). The state-of-being verbs often imply a transformation or development of the subject. They provide insight into the subject’s progress or ongoing status.

Appearing Verbs

Appearing verbs are a subset of state-of-being verbs that specifically indicate how something appears or presents itself. These verbs primarily include *appear* and *seem*. While they can sometimes function as action verbs, they most often act as linking verbs, connecting the subject to a description of its apparent state.

For example: “The solution appears simple” (linking verb) versus “He appears on television” (action verb); “The story seems true” (linking verb) versus “It seems that he is happy” (linking verb). In the linking verb examples, *appears* and *seems* connect the subject to an adjective that describes its perceived quality or state. In the action verb example, *appears* describes the action of making an appearance.

Examples of Linking Verbs

To further illustrate the use of linking verbs, let’s examine specific examples organized by category. These examples will clarify how linking verbs function within different sentence structures and contexts.

Understanding these examples will reinforce your ability to identify and use linking verbs accurately.

Be-Verbs Examples

The following table provides examples of sentences using be-verbs as linking verbs. Each sentence demonstrates how a be-verb connects the subject to a predicate nominative or a predicate adjective, providing more information about the subject.

Sentence	Subject	Linking Verb	Subject Complement	Type
I am a student.	I	am	a student	Predicate Nominative
They are happy.	They	are	happy	Predicate Adjective
She is intelligent.	She	is	intelligent	Predicate Adjective
He was a doctor.	He	was	a doctor	Predicate Nominative
We were tired.	We	were	tired	Predicate Adjective
The food is delicious.	The food	is	delicious	Predicate Adjective
My dog is playful.	My dog	is	playful	Predicate Adjective
The car was expensive.	The car	was	expensive	Predicate Adjective
The flowers are beautiful.	The flowers	are	beautiful	Predicate Adjective
The movie was interesting.	The movie	was	interesting	Predicate Adjective
She is the manager.	She	is	the manager	Predicate Nominative
He is my brother.	He	is	my brother	Predicate Nominative
They are teachers.	They	are	teachers	Predicate Nominative
I am the winner.	I	am	the winner	Predicate Nominative
You are my friend.	You	are	my friend	Predicate Nominative
It is a cat.	It	is	a cat	Predicate Nominative
This is a book.	This	is	a book	Predicate Nominative
That is a tree.	That	is	a tree	Predicate Nominative
Those are birds.	Those	are	birds	Predicate Nominative
These are apples.	These	are	apples	Predicate Nominative
The weather is cold.	The weather	is	cold	Predicate Adjective
The music is loud.	The music	is	loud	Predicate Adjective
The coffee is hot.	The coffee	is	hot	Predicate Adjective
The room is clean.	The room	is	clean	Predicate Adjective
The test was difficult.	The test	was	difficult	Predicate Adjective

Sense-Verbs Examples

The following table illustrates the use of sense verbs as linking verbs. Note how the sense verb connects the subject to a description related to the senses, such as taste, smell, sound, look, or feel.

These examples demonstrate the descriptive power of sense verbs when used as linking verbs.

Sentence	Subject	Linking Verb	Subject Complement	Sense
The soup tastes delicious.	The soup	tastes	delicious	Taste
The flower smells sweet.	The flower	smells	sweet	Smell
The music sounds beautiful.	The music	sounds	beautiful	Sound
The fabric feels soft.	The fabric	feels	soft	Touch
The painting looks vibrant.	The painting	looks	vibrant	Sight
The coffee smells strong.	The coffee	smells	strong	Smell
The cake tastes rich.	The cake	tastes	rich	Taste
Her voice sounds soothing.	Her voice	sounds	soothing	Sound
The sand feels warm.	The sand	feels	warm	Touch
The sky looks clear.	The sky	looks	clear	Sight
The perfume smells floral.	The perfume	smells	floral	Smell
The lemonade tastes sour.	The lemonade	tastes	sour	Taste
The wind sounds fierce.	The wind	sounds	fierce	Sound
The silk feels smooth.	The silk	feels	smooth	Touch
The moon looks bright.	The moon	looks	bright	Sight
The bacon smells smoky.	The bacon	smells	smoky	Smell
The medicine tastes bitter.	The medicine	tastes	bitter	Taste
The rain sounds calming.	The rain	sounds	calming	Sound
The velvet feels plush.	The velvet	feels	plush	Touch
The sunset looks stunning.	The sunset	looks	stunning	Sight
The air smells fresh.	The air	smells	fresh	Smell
The tea tastes mild.	The tea	tastes	mild	Taste
The ocean sounds loud.	The ocean	sounds	loud	Sound
The cotton feels light.	The cotton	feels	light	Touch
The stars look distant.	The stars	look	distant	Sight

State-of-Being Verbs Examples

This table provides examples of sentences using state-of-being verbs as linking verbs. These verbs often indicate a change in condition or a continuing state, connecting the subject to a description of its current status.

Sentence	Subject	Linking Verb	Subject Complement
He became a doctor.	He	became	a doctor
She seems happy.	She	seems	happy
It appears difficult.	It	appears	difficult
The child grew taller.	The child	grew	taller
The situation remained tense.	The situation	remained	tense
The weather stayed warm.	The weather	stayed	warm
The leaves turned brown.	The leaves	turned	brown
He became angry.	He	became	angry
She seems tired.	She	seems	tired
The task appears simple.	The task	appears	simple
The project grew complex.	The project	grew	complex
The problem remained unsolved.	The problem	remained	unsolved
The food stayed fresh.	The food	stayed	fresh
The sky turned gray.	The sky	turned	gray
He became a leader.	He	became	a leader
She seems confident.	She	seems	confident
The idea appears promising.	The idea	appears	promising
The plant grew healthy.	The plant	grew	healthy
The secret remained hidden.	The secret	remained	hidden
The music stayed lively.	The music	stayed	lively
The situation turned critical.	The situation	turned	critical
He became successful.	He	became	successful
She seems nervous.	She	seems	nervous
The plan appears flawed.	The plan	appears	flawed
The friendship grew strong.	The friendship	grew	strong

Appearing Verbs Examples

This table showcases sentences using appearing verbs (appear, seem) as linking verbs. These verbs specifically describe how something presents itself, connecting the subject to its apparent qualities.

Sentence	Subject	Linking Verb	Subject Complement
The solution appears simple.	The solution	appears	simple
The story seems true.	The story	seems	true
The evidence appears conclusive.	The evidence	appears	conclusive
The problem seems complicated.	The problem	seems	complicated
The answer appears obvious.	The answer	appears	obvious
The weather seems pleasant.	The weather	seems	pleasant
The situation appears stable.	The situation	appears	stable
The task seems easy.	The task	seems	easy
The outcome appears positive.	The outcome	appears	positive
The result seems promising.	The result	seems	promising
The truth appears hidden.	The truth	appears	hidden
The reason seems unclear.	The reason	seems	unclear
The motive appears suspicious.	The motive	appears	suspicious
The explanation seems logical.	The explanation	seems	logical
The choice appears difficult.	The choice	appears	difficult
The path seems dangerous.	The path	seems	dangerous
The future appears uncertain.	The future	appears	uncertain
The past seems distant.	The past	seems	distant
The reality appears harsh.	The reality	appears	harsh
The dream seems vivid.	The dream	seems	vivid

Usage Rules for Linking Verbs

Using linking verbs correctly involves understanding several key rules. These rules govern how linking verbs interact with other sentence elements and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the sentence.

Mastering these rules will help you avoid common errors and ensure clarity in your writing.

One important rule is that the subject complement must agree in number with the subject. If the subject is singular, the predicate nominative or predicate adjective must also be singular. If the subject is plural, the subject complement must be plural as well. For example: “The dog is playful” (singular) versus “The dogs are playful” (plural). This agreement ensures grammatical consistency and clarity.

Another crucial rule is to differentiate between linking verbs and action verbs. As mentioned earlier, some verbs can function as either depending on the context.

To determine whether a verb is acting as a linking verb, ask yourself if it connects the subject to a description or identity. If it does, it’s a linking verb.

If it shows an action performed by the subject, it’s an action verb.

Also, be mindful of the adjectives and adverbs that follow linking verbs. Since linking verbs connect subjects to descriptions, they are typically followed by adjectives (predicate adjectives). Adverbs, which modify verbs, are generally not used after linking verbs. For example: “She seems happy” (adjective) is correct, while “She seems happily” (adverb) is incorrect.

Finally, remember that linking verbs cannot take direct objects. Direct objects receive the action of a verb.

Since linking verbs do not express action, they cannot have direct objects. Instead, they have subject complements that rename or describe the subject.

This distinction is fundamental to understanding the unique role of linking verbs in sentence structure.

Common Mistakes with Linking Verbs

Several common mistakes can occur when using linking verbs. Recognizing these errors and understanding how to correct them is essential for improving your grammar skills.

Here are some frequent mistakes and their correct versions:

Mistake 1: Using an adverb instead of an adjective after a linking verb.
Incorrect: The soup tastes badly.
Correct: The soup tastes bad.

Mistake 2: Confusing linking verbs with action verbs.
Incorrect: He looked at the painting sad.
Correct: He looked sad after seeing the painting. (linking verb)
Correct: He looked intently at the painting. (action verb)

Mistake 3: Subject-complement disagreement.
Incorrect: My favorite fruit are an apple.
Correct: My favorite fruit is an apple.
Correct: My favorite fruits are apples.

Mistake 4: Using a direct object with a linking verb.
Incorrect: She is liking the book.
Correct: She likes the book. (action verb)
Correct: She is a fan of the book. (linking verb – rephrased to use a linking verb correctly)

Mistake 5: Incorrect verb tense with “to be”.
Incorrect: I be happy.
Correct: I am happy.

Mistake 6: Using “being” unnecessarily.
Incorrect: He is being a doctor.
Correct: He is a doctor.

Mistake 7: Misusing sense verbs.
Incorrect: She felt the material carefully. (Intending a linking verb)
Correct: The material felt soft. (linking verb)
Correct: She felt the material carefully to examine its texture. (action verb)

Mistake 8: Improper use of “seem”.
Incorrect: It seems like he is tired.
Correct: It seems that he is tired.
Correct: He seems tired.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of linking verbs with these practice exercises. Identify the linking verbs in each sentence and indicate the subject complement.

Also, determine whether the subject complement is a predicate nominative or a predicate adjective.

Question	Answer	Type of Subject Complement
1. The sky is blue.	is, blue	Predicate Adjective
2. He became a lawyer.	became, a lawyer	Predicate Nominative
3. The soup tastes salty.	tastes, salty	Predicate Adjective
4. She seems happy.	seems, happy	Predicate Adjective
5. I am a teacher.	am, a teacher	Predicate Nominative
6. The music sounds beautiful.	sounds, beautiful	Predicate Adjective
7. They are students.	are, students	Predicate Nominative
8. The fabric feels smooth.	feels, smooth	Predicate Adjective
9. It appears difficult.	appears, difficult	Predicate Adjective
10. We were tired.	were, tired	Predicate Adjective

Exercise 2: Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

Question	Options	Answer
1. The flowers smell ____.	(a) sweetly (b) sweet	(b) sweet
2. He is ____ doctor.	(a) a (b) an	(a) a
3. She seems ____ today.	(a) happily (b) happy	(b) happy
4. The cake tastes ____.	(a) deliciously (b) delicious	(b) delicious
5. They are ____ friends.	(a) good (b) well	(a) good
6. The music sounds ____.	(a) loudly (b) loud	(b) loud
7. It became ____ problem.	(a) a (b) an	(a) a
8. The material feels ____.	(a) softly (b) soft	(b) soft
9. He appears ____.	(a) confidently (b) confident	(b) confident
10. We were ____.	(a) exhaustedly (b) exhausted	(b) exhausted

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences using linking verbs.

Question	Answer
1. The weather is rainy.	The weather seems rainy.
2. She is a talented artist.	She appears to be a talented artist.
3. The coffee has a strong smell.	The coffee smells strong.
4. He is a dedicated teacher.	He became a dedicated teacher.
5. The room is quiet.	The room seems quiet.
6. The food is delicious.	The food tastes delicious.
7. She is nervous before the show.	She seems nervous before the show.
8. The task is simple to complete.	The task appears simple to complete.
9. He is a skilled musician.	He became a skilled musician.
10. The fabric has a soft feel.	The fabric feels soft.

Advanced Topics

For a deeper understanding of linking verbs, it’s helpful to explore some advanced topics. These topics delve into the nuances of linking verb usage and provide insights into more complex sentence structures.

Understanding these advanced concepts will elevate your command of English grammar.

One advanced topic is the use of linking verbs in complex sentences. Linking verbs can appear in subordinate clauses, adding descriptive information to the main clause. For example: “Because the music was loud, I couldn’t concentrate.” Here, “was” is a linking verb in the subordinate clause, providing context for the main clause.

Another area to explore is the subjective nature of perception with sense verbs. What one person perceives as “sweet,” another might perceive as “bland.” This subjectivity highlights the role of personal experience in shaping our sensory perceptions.

When using sense verbs, be mindful of the potential for varying interpretations.

Additionally, consider the use of linking verbs in figurative language. Metaphors and similes often employ linking verbs to draw comparisons between seemingly unrelated things. For example: “Life is a journey” (metaphor). The linking verb “is” equates life with a journey, creating a powerful image.

Finally, examine the historical evolution of linking verbs. The usage of certain verbs as linking verbs has changed over time.

Understanding this historical context can provide a richer appreciation for the dynamic nature of language and the subtle shifts in grammatical conventions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

Linking verbs are essential components of English grammar that connect the subject of a sentence to descriptive or identifying information. Understanding their function, types, and usage rules is crucial for clear and effective communication.

By mastering the concepts outlined in this guide, you can confidently use linking verbs in your writing and speech, enhancing the precision and expressiveness of your language.