Linking Verbs: Mastering Connection in English Grammar

Linking verbs are fundamental to constructing meaningful sentences in English. Unlike action verbs that describe actions, linking verbs connect the subject to a word or phrase that describes or identifies the subject.

Understanding linking verbs is crucial for building a strong foundation in grammar, enabling you to express relationships between the subject and its attributes clearly and effectively. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of linking verbs, their function, usage, and common mistakes.

This article is ideal for English language learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced speakers, who want to enhance their understanding and use of English grammar.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition of Linking Verbs
3. Structural Breakdown
4. Types and Categories of Linking Verbs
5. Examples of Linking Verbs
6. Usage Rules
7. Common Mistakes
8. Practice Exercises
9. Advanced Topics
10. FAQ
11. Conclusion

Definition of Linking Verbs

A linking verb, also known as a copular verb, connects the subject of a sentence to a subject complement. The subject complement renames or describes the subject.

Linking verbs do not show action; instead, they establish a relationship between the subject and its description. They essentially act as an equals sign, showing that the subject and the complement are the same or that the subject possesses the quality described by the complement.

Linking verbs can be classified into two main categories: forms of the verb “to be” and sense verbs used as linking verbs. Forms of “to be” are the most common linking verbs and include is, are, was, were, am, be, been, being. Sense verbs, such as look, feel, smell, taste, and sound, can function as linking verbs when they describe a state of being rather than an action.

Classification

• Forms of “to be”: is, are, was, were, am, be, been, being
• Sense Verbs: look, feel, smell, taste, sound, seem, appear, become, grow, remain, stay

Function

The primary function of a linking verb is to connect the subject to a subject complement. The subject complement can be a noun, pronoun, or adjective that describes or identifies the subject.

This connection provides additional information about the subject, enriching the meaning of the sentence. Without a linking verb, the sentence would lack the necessary connection between the subject and its descriptive attributes.

Contexts

Linking verbs are used in various contexts to describe states of being, characteristics, or identities. They are frequently used in descriptive writing to paint a picture of a subject’s qualities or condition.

In formal writing, linking verbs help establish logical connections and definitions. In everyday conversation, they are essential for expressing opinions, feelings, and observations about the world around us.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of a sentence with a linking verb is generally: Subject + Linking Verb + Subject Complement. The subject complement can be a noun, pronoun, or adjective. Understanding this structure helps in identifying and correctly using linking verbs in sentences.

For example, in the sentence “The sky is blue,” “sky” is the subject, “is” is the linking verb, and “blue” is the subject complement (an adjective describing the sky). Similarly, in the sentence “She is a doctor,” “she” is the subject, “is” is the linking verb, and “doctor” is the subject complement (a noun identifying her profession).

Subject

The subject of the sentence is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about. It typically comes before the linking verb.

Linking Verb

The linking verb connects the subject to the subject complement. It does not express an action but rather a state of being or a connection.

Subject Complement

The subject complement follows the linking verb and describes or identifies the subject. It can be a noun, pronoun, or adjective.

Types and Categories of Linking Verbs

Linking verbs can be categorized based on their form and function. The two main categories are forms of “to be” and sense verbs used as linking verbs.

Each category has specific characteristics and usage patterns.

Forms of “To Be”

The forms of “to be” are the most common linking verbs. They include is, are, was, were, am, be, been, being. These verbs are used to express a state of being or to connect the subject to a descriptive attribute or identity. For example: “I am happy,” “They are students,” “The food was delicious.”

Sense Verbs as Linking Verbs

Sense verbs, such as look, feel, smell, taste, and sound, can function as linking verbs when they describe a state of being or sensory perception rather than an action. In these cases, they connect the subject to an adjective that describes how the subject appears, feels, smells, tastes, or sounds. For example: “The flower smells sweet,” “The fabric feels soft,” “The music sounds beautiful.”

Other Linking Verbs

Besides forms of “to be” and sense verbs, other verbs can also function as linking verbs. These include seem, appear, become, grow, remain, and stay. These verbs connect the subject to a descriptive attribute or state. For example: “He seems tired,” “She appears confident,” “The situation became complicated.”

Examples of Linking Verbs

Here are several examples of linking verbs in sentences, categorized by type, to illustrate their usage and function.

Examples with Forms of “To Be”

The following table provides examples using different forms of the verb “to be” as linking verbs. Note how each sentence connects the subject to a descriptive attribute.

Sentence	Subject	Linking Verb	Subject Complement
I am a teacher.	I	am	a teacher
You are kind.	You	are	kind
He is tall.	He	is	tall
She was angry.	She	was	angry
We were late.	We	were	late
They are students.	They	are	students
The book is interesting.	The book	is	interesting
The flowers are beautiful.	The flowers	are	beautiful
The weather was cold.	The weather	was	cold
The movie was exciting.	The movie	was	exciting
Being healthy is important.	Being healthy	is	important
The cake is delicious.	The cake	is	delicious
The music is loud.	The music	is	loud
The car is new.	The car	is	new
The house is big.	The house	is	big
The coffee is hot.	The coffee	is	hot
The sun is bright.	The sun	is	bright
The stars are shining.	The stars	are	shining
The food is ready.	The food	is	ready
The show is over.	The show	is	over
The test was difficult.	The test	was	difficult
The game was fun.	The game	was	fun
The party was great.	The party	was	great
The book was interesting.	The book	was	interesting
The lesson is helpful.	The lesson	is	helpful

Examples with Sense Verbs

This table shows how sense verbs function as linking verbs, connecting the subject to an adjective that describes a sensory quality.

Sentence	Subject	Linking Verb	Subject Complement
The flower smells sweet.	The flower	smells	sweet
The fabric feels soft.	The fabric	feels	soft
The music sounds beautiful.	The music	sounds	beautiful
The soup tastes delicious.	The soup	tastes	delicious
The sky looks clear.	The sky	looks	clear
The coffee smells strong.	The coffee	smells	strong
The blanket feels warm.	The blanket	feels	warm
The bird sounds cheerful.	The bird	sounds	cheerful
The medicine tastes bitter.	The medicine	tastes	bitter
The painting looks vibrant.	The painting	looks	vibrant
The air feels crisp.	The air	feels	crisp
The bread smells fresh.	The bread	smells	fresh
The water tastes clean.	The water	tastes	clean
The garden looks colorful.	The garden	looks	colorful
The sand feels rough.	The sand	feels	rough
The cake tastes rich.	The cake	tastes	rich
The ocean smells salty.	The ocean	smells	salty
The silk feels smooth.	The silk	feels	smooth
The rain sounds soothing.	The rain	sounds	soothing
The juice tastes sweet.	The juice	tastes	sweet
The forest looks green.	The forest	looks	green
The metal feels cold.	The metal	feels	cold
The perfume smells floral.	The perfume	smells	floral
The honey tastes golden.	The honey	tastes	golden
The sunset looks stunning.	The sunset	looks	stunning

Examples with Other Linking Verbs

This table provides examples of sentences using other linking verbs such as seem, appear, become, grow, remain, and stay.

Sentence	Subject	Linking Verb	Subject Complement
He seems tired.	He	seems	tired
She appears confident.	She	appears	confident
The situation became complicated.	The situation	became	complicated
He grew old.	He	grew	old
The answer remained a mystery.	The answer	remained	a mystery
They stayed calm.	They	stayed	calm
The problem seems difficult.	The problem	seems	difficult
The plan appears solid.	The plan	appears	solid
The weather became stormy.	The weather	became	stormy
The child grew taller.	The child	grew	taller
The truth remained hidden.	The truth	remained	hidden
The friends stayed close.	The friends	stayed	close
The task seems easy.	The task	seems	easy
The solution appears simple.	The solution	appears	simple
The relationship became strained.	The relationship	became	strained
The plant grew strong.	The plant	grew	strong
The question remained unanswered.	The question	remained	unanswered
The soldiers stayed vigilant.	The soldiers	stayed	vigilant
The idea seems promising.	The idea	seems	promising
The evidence appears conclusive.	The evidence	appears	conclusive
The situation became critical.	The situation	became	critical
The project grew complex.	The project	grew	complex
The mystery remained unsolved.	The mystery	remained	unsolved
The neighbors stayed friendly.	The neighbors	stayed	friendly
The plan seems feasible.	The plan	seems	feasible

Usage Rules

Using linking verbs correctly involves understanding their function and how they connect the subject to the subject complement. Here are some key rules to follow:

Subject-Verb Agreement

The linking verb must agree with the subject in number. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular; if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

For example: “He is a student” (singular subject, singular verb), “They are students” (plural subject, plural verb).

Adjectives vs. Adverbs

When using sense verbs as linking verbs, always use an adjective as the subject complement, not an adverb. Adjectives describe the subject, while adverbs describe actions.

For example: “The flower smells sweet” (correct, adjective “sweet” describes the flower), “The flower smells sweetly” (incorrect, adverb “sweetly” describes how the flower smells).

Distinguishing Linking Verbs from Action Verbs

Sense verbs can be either linking verbs or action verbs, depending on the context. To determine whether a sense verb is a linking verb, ask if it connects the subject to a descriptive attribute or if it describes an action.

If it connects the subject to a description, it is a linking verb. If it describes an action, it is an action verb.

For example: “She looks happy” (linking verb, “happy” describes her), “She looks at the painting” (action verb, “looks” describes the action of looking).

Using “Be” with Noun Complements

When the subject complement is a noun, the linking verb “to be” is typically used to equate the subject with the noun. This is common when defining or identifying someone or something.

For example: “He is a doctor,” “This is my car,” “They are my friends.”

Common Mistakes

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

Incorrect Subject-Verb Agreement

One common mistake is using a linking verb that does not agree with the subject in number. This can lead to sentences that sound awkward or incorrect.

For example:

Incorrect	Correct
They is happy.	They are happy.
He are a student.	He is a student.

Using Adverbs Instead of Adjectives

Another frequent error is using an adverb instead of an adjective as the subject complement with sense verbs. Remember that the subject complement should describe the subject, which requires an adjective.

For example:

Incorrect	Correct
The flower smells sweetly.	The flower smells sweet.
The music sounds loudly.	The music sounds loud.

Confusing Linking Verbs with Action Verbs

It can be challenging to distinguish between linking verbs and action verbs, especially with sense verbs. Misidentifying the verb type can lead to incorrect sentence structure.

For example:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
She feels sadly.	She feels sad.	“Feels” is a linking verb, so it requires an adjective (“sad”).
He looks angrily at the door.	He looks angry.	In this case the action is not looking at the door, but rather his general state. “Looks” is used as a linking verb.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of linking verbs with these practice exercises. Identify the linking verbs and subject complements in the following sentences.

Exercise 1: Identify the Linking Verb and Subject Complement

Sentence	Linking Verb	Subject Complement
The coffee is hot.
She seems tired.
The soup tastes delicious.
They are students.
The music sounds beautiful.
He became a doctor.
The flower smells sweet.
The sky looks clear.
We were late.
The fabric feels soft.

Answer Key:

Sentence	Linking Verb	Subject Complement
The coffee is hot.	is	hot
She seems tired.	seems	tired
The soup tastes delicious.	tastes	delicious
They are students.	are	students
The music sounds beautiful.	sounds	beautiful
He became a doctor.	became	a doctor
The flower smells sweet.	smells	sweet
The sky looks clear.	looks	clear
We were late.	were	late
The fabric feels soft.	feels	soft

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Linking Verb

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the linking verb “to be” or a suitable sense verb.

Sentence	Correct Verb
I ______ happy.
They ______ excited.
The cake ______ delicious.
The music ______ loud.
The car ______ new.
The house ______ big.
The coffee ______ hot.
The sun ______ bright.
The stars ______ shining.
The food ______ ready.

Answer Key:

Sentence	Correct Verb
I am happy.	am
They are excited.	are
The cake is delicious.	is
The music sounds loud.	sounds
The car is new.	is
The house is big.	is
The coffee is hot.	is
The sun is bright.	is
The stars are shining.	are
The food is ready.	is

Exercise 3: Correct the Sentences

Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.

Incorrect Sentence	Correct Sentence
She feels sadly.
They is happy.
The flower smells sweetly.
He look angrily at the door.
The music sounds loudly.
They was late.
The cake taste deliciously.
The solution appears simply.
The situation became hardly.
The friends stayed closely.

Answer Key:

Incorrect Sentence	Correct Sentence
She feels sadly.	She feels sad.
They is happy.	They are happy.
The flower smells sweetly.	The flower smells sweet.
He look angrily at the door.	He looks angrily at the door. (Action verb) or He looks angry (Linking verb).
The music sounds loudly.	The music sounds loud.
They was late.	They were late.
The cake taste deliciously.	The cake tastes delicious.
The solution appears simply.	The solution appears simple.
The situation became hardly.	The situation became hard.
The friends stayed closely.	The friends stayed close.

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, understanding the nuances of linking verbs can further enhance their writing and speaking skills. Here are some advanced topics to explore:

Linking Verbs in Complex Sentences

Linking verbs can be used in complex sentences to connect the subject to a more elaborate description or explanation. This allows for a deeper and more nuanced expression of ideas.

For example: “The reason he is successful is that he works hard.” In this sentence, “is” connects “the reason he is successful” to the explanation “that he works hard.”

Linking Verbs in Literary Contexts

In literature, linking verbs are often used to create vivid descriptions and evoke emotions. Authors use linking verbs to paint a picture of a character’s state of mind or the atmosphere of a setting.

Analyzing the use of linking verbs in literary texts can provide insights into the author’s style and intent.

Linking Verbs with Abstract Subjects

Using linking verbs with abstract subjects, such as “love,” “freedom,” or “happiness,” can be challenging. It requires careful consideration of the subject complement to ensure that it accurately and meaningfully describes the abstract concept.

For example: “Love is a powerful emotion,” “Freedom is a fundamental right,” “Happiness is a state of mind.”

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about linking verbs:

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

   A linking verb connects the subject to a subject complement that describes or identifies the subject, while an action verb describes an action performed by the subject. Linking verbs do not show action; they show a state of being or a connection.

2. How can I identify a linking verb in a sentence?

   To identify a linking verb, look for verbs that connect the subject to a descriptive attribute or identity. Ask if the verb shows action or if it connects the subject to a description. Common linking verbs include forms of “to be” and sense verbs.

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

   Yes, some verbs, particularly sense verbs like look, feel, smell, taste, and sound, can function as both linking verbs and action verbs, depending on the context. If the verb connects the subject to a description, it is a linking verb. If it describes an action, it is an action verb.

4. What is a subject complement?

   A subject complement is a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and describes or identifies the subject. It can be a noun, pronoun, or adjective.

5. Why is subject-verb agreement important with linking verbs?

   Subject-verb agreement ensures that the linking verb agrees with the subject in number. This makes the sentence grammatically correct and clear. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular; if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

6. What are some common mistakes to avoid when using linking verbs?

   Common mistakes include incorrect subject-verb agreement, using adverbs instead of adjectives as subject complements, and confusing linking verbs with action verbs. Being aware of these errors can help you avoid them.

7. How do I use sense verbs correctly as linking verbs?

   When using sense verbs as linking verbs, ensure that the subject complement is an adjective that describes the sensory quality of the subject. Avoid using adverbs, which describe actions rather than states of being.

8. Are there other verbs besides “to be” and sense verbs that can be linking verbs?

   Yes, other verbs such as seem, appear, become, grow, remain, and stay can also function as linking verbs. These verbs connect the subject to a descriptive attribute or state.

9. How do linking verbs affect the meaning of a sentence?

   Linking verbs connect the subject to essential information about its characteristics, state, or identity. They provide crucial details that enrich the sentence’s meaning and allow for a clear understanding of the subject’s attributes.

10. Where can I find more resources to practice using linking verbs?

    You can find additional resources online, in grammar textbooks, and through language learning apps. Practice exercises and quizzes can help reinforce your understanding of linking verbs.

Conclusion

Mastering linking verbs is essential for effective communication in English. By understanding their function, usage rules, and common mistakes, you can improve your grammar skills and construct clear, meaningful sentences.

Linking verbs connect the subject to descriptive attributes or identities, providing crucial information that enriches the sentence’s meaning. Continued practice and attention to detail will help you confidently use linking verbs in your writing and speaking.

Remember to focus on subject-verb agreement, use adjectives as subject complements with sense verbs, and distinguish between linking verbs and action verbs. With consistent effort, you can enhance your understanding of grammar and communicate more effectively.

By incorporating linking verbs correctly, you’ll be well-equipped to articulate your thoughts and ideas with greater precision and clarity, ultimately improving your overall English proficiency and confidence.