Understanding Linking Verbs: Definition, Types, and Usage
Linking verbs are fundamental components of English grammar that connect the subject of a sentence to a subject complement, such as a noun, pronoun, or adjective. They serve a crucial role in forming descriptions, states, or identities without expressing action.
Mastering linking verbs enhances your ability to craft clear, accurate sentences, and improves your overall understanding of sentence structure. Whether you’re a beginner learning basic sentence patterns or an advanced student exploring nuanced language use, understanding linking verbs is essential for effective communication.
This comprehensive guide delves into the nature of linking verbs, their types, proper usage, common errors, and advanced considerations, supported by numerous examples and practice exercises.
Table of Contents
- 1. Definition and Explanation of Linking Verbs
- 2. Structural Breakdown of Linking Verbs
- 3. Types and Categories of Linking Verbs
- 4. Extensive Examples of Linking Verbs
- 5. Usage Rules and Guidelines
- 6. Common Mistakes with Linking Verbs
- 7. Practice Exercises
- 8. Advanced Topics in Linking Verbs
- 9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- 10. Conclusion and Key Takeaways
1. Definition and Explanation of Linking Verbs
Linking verbs are a specific class of verbs that do not express action but instead connect the subject of a sentence to a subject complement, which can be a noun, pronoun, or adjective that describes or identifies the subject. Unlike action verbs that depict physical or mental actions (e.g., run, think, eat), linking verbs serve as an equal sign in the sentence, establishing a relationship rather than performing an action.
For example, in the sentence “She is a teacher.”, the verb “is” links the subject “She” to the complement “a teacher”. This indicates her identity. Similarly, in “The sky looks blue.”, the linking verb “looks” connects the subject “The sky” with the adjective “blue”, describing its appearance.
Classification of Linking Verbs
- Be verbs: am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being
- Sense verbs: appear, become, feel, grow, look, prove, remain, seem, smell, sound, stay, taste
- Other linking verbs: be regarded as, be considered as, be known as, appear to be
Note that some verbs can act as both action and linking verbs depending on context. For example, “The flowers smell wonderful.” (linking) versus “She smells the flowers.” (action).
2. Structural Breakdown of Linking Verbs
Understanding the structure involving linking verbs is key to mastering their use. Typically, a linking verb is followed by a subject complement, which may be a noun, pronoun, or adjective.
This structure is often summarized as:
| Subject | Linking Verb | Subject Complement |
|---|---|---|
| The weather | is | cold |
| He | became | a doctor |
| The flowers | smell | beautiful |
In these structures, the verb acts as a connector, not an action, linking the subject to additional information about it. The subject complement provides essential details or descriptions, completing the thought.
Key Structural Elements:
- Subject: The noun or pronoun that the sentence is about.
- Linking verb: The verb that connects the subject to its complement.
- Subject complement: Noun, pronoun, or adjective that describes or renames the subject.
3. Types and Categories of Linking Verbs
Linking verbs can be categorized based on their grammatical features and the nature of the complements they introduce. Understanding these categories helps in identifying and correctly using linking verbs in various contexts.
3.1 Be Verbs
The most common group of linking verbs are forms of the verb “be”. They are used extensively in English to describe states, conditions, and identities.
| Form of “Be” | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| am | Present, first person singular | I am happy. |
| is | Present, third person singular | She is a teacher. |
| are | Present, plural or second person singular | They are excited. |
| was | Past, singular | He was tired. |
| were | Past, plural or second person singular | We were students. |
| been | Perfect tense, past participle | She has been ill. |
3.2 Sense Verbs
These verbs describe states, perceptions, or conditions rather than actions. They often function as linking verbs in sentences.
| Sense Verb | Meaning/Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| appear | To seem or look like | The sky appears gray today. |
| become | To come to be or develop into | He became famous overnight. |
| feel | To experience a sensation or emotion | I feel sick. |
| grow | To develop or increase | The plant grows quickly. |
| look | To seem or appear to be | The cake looks delicious. |
| prove | To establish as true or valid | The test proved difficult. |
| remain | To stay in the same state | The door remained closed. |
| seem | To give the impression of being | She seems upset. |
| smell | To have a particular odor | The flowers smell sweet. |
| sound | To produce a noise or be heard | The music sounds lovely. |
| stay | To remain in a place or state | He stayed silent. |
| taste | To have a particular flavor | The soup tastes salty. |
3.3 Other Common Linking Verbs
Some verbs that are not forms of “be” or sense verbs also act as linking verbs in certain contexts, often used in idiomatic expressions or specific structures.
| Verb | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| be regarded as | To consider or see as | He is regarded as a hero. |
| be considered as | To think of as | The project is considered as successful. |
| be known as | To be called or recognized as | She is known as the best singer. |
| appear to be | To seem or look like | The situation appears to be under control. |
4. Extensive Examples of Linking Verbs
4.1 Examples with Be Verbs
| Subject | Linking Verb | Complement | Full Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | am | happy | I am happy. |
| She | is | a teacher | She is a teacher. |
| They | are | friends | They are friends. |
| The cat | was | sleeping | The cat was sleeping. |
| We | have been | tired | We have been tired all day. |
| The book | is | interesting | The book is interesting. |
| The weather | was | cold | The weather was cold yesterday. |
| He | will be | ready | He will be ready soon. |
| This | is | delicious | This is delicious. |
| The children | are | happy | The children are happy. |
4.2 Examples with Sense Verbs
| Subject | Sense Linking Verb | Complement | Full Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| The flowers | smell | sweet | The flowers smell sweet. |
| He | seems | upset | He seems upset. |
| The cake | looks | delicious | The cake looks delicious. |
| The situation | becomes | dangerous | The situation becomes dangerous. |
| Your voice | sounds | loud | Your voice sounds loud. |
| The night | remained | quiet | The night remained quiet. |
| The milk | tastes | sour | The milk tastes sour. |
| The child | grew | tall | The child grew tall. |
| Her explanation | proved | confusing | Her explanation proved confusing. |
| The team | remained | focused | The team remained focused. |
4.3 Examples with Other Linking Verbs
| Subject | Verb | Complement | Full Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| The man | is regarded as | an expert | The man is regarded as an expert. |
| The project | is considered as | innovative | The project is considered as innovative. |
| She | is known as | a pioneer | She is known as a pioneer. |
| The candidate | appears to be | qualified | The candidate appears to be qualified. |
5. Usage Rules and Guidelines
Proper use of linking verbs is critical for clarity and grammatical correctness. Below are essential rules and guidelines to help you use linking verbs correctly:
5.1 Linking vs. Action Verbs
Always distinguish between linking and action verbs. Action verbs describe physical or mental actions, while linking verbs connect the subject to additional information.
For example:
| Action Verb | Linking Verb |
|---|---|
| She runs every morning. | She is a runner. (linking: “is”) |
| He feels happy. | He feels tired. (action: “feels” as action verb; linking: “feels” as linking verb) |
5.2 Subject-Verb Agreement
Ensure that the linking verb agrees with the subject in number and person. For example:
- Singular subjects: He is, She looks, It remains
- Plural subjects: They are, The flowers smell, The students seem
5.3 When to Use Which Linking Verb
- Be verbs are used with identity, state, or existence.
- Sense verbs are used to describe perceptions or conditions.
- Other verbs are used based on idiomatic expressions or specific descriptions.
5.4 Using Subject Complements
Always ensure the complement agrees semantically and syntactically with the subject. Adjectives follow linking verbs when describing the subject, while nouns or pronouns rename or identify the subject.
5.5 Passive Voice Considerations
Linking verbs are often used in passive constructions, especially with “be”. For example, “The cake was baked by her.” in passive voice uses a form of “be” as a linking verb in combination with a past participle.
6. Common Mistakes with Linking Verbs
6.1 Confusing Action and Linking Verbs
Incorrect: She runs tired.
Correct: She looks tired.
In the incorrect example, “runs” is an action verb, but the intended meaning is descriptive, requiring a linking verb “looks”.
6.2 Using the Wrong Form of “Be”
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| He am a teacher. | He is a teacher. | “Am” is first person singular; “He” requires “is”. |
| They was happy. | They were happy. | “Were” matches plural subject “They”. |
6.3 Missing the Subject Complement
Incorrect: The sky is.
Correct: The sky is blue.
The sentence is incomplete without the complement.
6.4 Overusing Linking Verbs without Complements
Incorrect: She is.
Correct: She is happy.
Always provide a complement to complete the thought.
7. Practice Exercises
7.1 Easy Level
- Identify the linking verb in the sentence: “The dog looks tired.”
- Replace the action verb with a linking verb: “She runs fast.”
- Choose the correct form: “They ____ (are/is/was) excited.”
- Complete the sentence with an appropriate linking verb: “The food ____ delicious.”
- Determine if the verb is action or linking: “He feels cold.”
- Rewrite the sentence using a different linking verb: “The sky looks clear.”
- Fill in the blank: “The flowers ____ fragrant.”
- Select the correct sentence:
- a) She is a doctor.
- b) She runs a doctor.
- Identify the subject complement: “The cake tastes sweet.”
- Change the sentence to use the verb “be”: “The children are happy.”
7.2 Advanced Level
- Identify all linking verbs in the paragraph:”The weather was gloomy, and the sky looked gray. The mood remained somber all afternoon.”
- Transform active sentences into sentences with linking verbs:
- Action: “She is painting.”
- Linking: “She appears creative.”
- Explain why “become” is a linking verb in this sentence:”He became a leader.”
- Identify the subject complement in:”The night grew colder.”
- Create sentences using each sense verb as a linking verb.
- Correct the errors in:”The soup tastes salty, and the bread feels soft.”
- Write a paragraph describing yourself using at least five linking verbs.
- Analyze the following complex sentence for linking verbs:”Although he seemed confident, he was actually nervous inside.”
- Identify the difference in meaning when replacing “seems” with “is”:”The story seems interesting.”
vs.
“The story is interesting.”
- Construct a paragraph describing a scene with multiple linking verbs and complements.
8. Advanced Topics in Linking Verbs
8.1 Linking Verbs in Passive Constructions
Linking verbs are often used in passive voice, especially with forms of “be” combined with past participles. For example, “The project was completed on time.”. Understanding how linking verbs function in passive constructions enhances your ability to write more complex sentences.
8.2 Linking Verbs in Formal and Literary Contexts
In formal or literary language, certain idiomatic expressions or passive constructions employ linking verbs to add nuance or formality. Recognizing these uses helps in both comprehension and style.
8.3 Variations and Less Common Linking Verbs
Some verbs are less frequently used as linking verbs but appear in specialized contexts, such as “remain,” “continue,” or “seem.” Understanding these expands your vocabulary and expressive capacity.
9. FAQ Section
Q1: Can action verbs also be linking verbs?
A: Yes, some verbs can act as both action and linking verbs depending on context. For example, “look” in “She looks happy” (linking) versus “She looks at the painting” (action).
Q2: How do I know if a verb is linking or action?
A: Check if the verb connects the subject to a description or identity (linking) or describes an action performed by the subject (action). If the verb can be replaced by “be” + adjective or noun without changing meaning, it’s likely a linking verb.
Q3: Are all forms of “be” used as linking verbs?
A: Generally, yes. All forms of “be” (am, is, are, was, were, been, being) function as linking verbs, but their role depends on context.
Q4: Can “seem” and “appear” be used as action verbs?
A: They are primarily used as linking verbs, but in some contexts, they can be action verbs (e.g., “He seems to be working”).
Q5: What is the difference between a linking verb and a copular verb?
A: They are often used interchangeably. “Copular” is a grammatical term for verbs that link the subject to the complement, with “be” being the most common.
Q6: Can a verb be a linking verb in one sentence and action in another?
A: Yes, context determines the function. For example, “She looks tired” (linking) vs. “She looks at the stars” (action).
Q7: Are modal verbs ever linking verbs?
A: No, modal verbs (can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would) are auxiliary verbs and do not serve as linking verbs.
Q8: How do I identify linking verbs in complex sentences?
A: Look for verbs that connect the subject to a complement, especially after the subject, and check if they can be replaced with “be” + adjective/noun.
10. Conclusion and Final Tips
Mastering linking verbs is essential for constructing clear, descriptive, and grammatically correct sentences. Recognizing the difference between action and linking verbs, understanding their structural roles, and knowing the common types will greatly improve your language skills.
Practice identifying and using linking verbs in various contexts to develop confidence. Remember, many verbs can serve as both action and linking verbs depending on how they are used, so always consider the sentence’s meaning and structure.
With consistent practice and attention to detail, you’ll become proficient in using linking verbs effectively in your writing and speech.