Linking Verbs in English
Linking verbs are an essential part of English grammar, yet they often go unnoticed. Unlike action verbs, which describe an action, linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a subject complement, which can be a noun, pronoun, or adjective that describes or identifies the subject.
In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the world of linking verbs, exploring their usage, common examples, and key rules to keep in mind. Whether you’re a native English speaker or a learner, this guide will help you master linking verbs and use them confidently in your writing and speaking.
What Are Linking Verbs?
Linking verbs, also known as copular verbs, do not show action. Instead, they link the subject to additional information about it. For example, in the sentence “She is a teacher,” the linking verb “is” connects the subject “she” to the subject complement “a teacher,” which describes her identity.
Linking verbs are often forms of the verb “to be” (am, is, are, was, were, etc.), but they can also include verbs like “become,” “seem,” “appear,” “feel,” and “look.”
Usage of Linking Verbs in Different Situations
Linking verbs are used in various contexts to describe states of being, conditions, or characteristics. Here are some common situations where linking verbs are used:
- Describing Identity or Role:
- Example: “He is a doctor.”
Here, the linking verb “is” connects the subject “he” to his identity as “a doctor.”
- Example: “He is a doctor.”
- Describing a State or Condition:
- Example: “The cake smells delicious.”
The linking verb “smells” connects the subject “the cake” to its condition of being “delicious.”
- Example: “The cake smells delicious.”
- Expressing Emotions or Feelings:
- Example: “She feels happy.”
The linking verb “feels” connects the subject “she” to her emotional state of being “happy.”
- Example: “She feels happy.”
- Indicating Senses:
- Example: “The flowers look beautiful.”
The linking verb “look” connects the subject “the flowers” to their appearance of being “beautiful.”
- Example: “The flowers look beautiful.”
- Describing Changes or Transformations:
- Example: “The sky became dark.”
The linking verb “became” connects the subject “the sky” to its changed state of being “dark.”
- Example: “The sky became dark.”
- Using with Articles and Gender:
Linking verbs work seamlessly with articles (a, an, the) and gender-specific pronouns.- Example: “The boy is an artist.” (Article + Linking Verb)
- Example: “She is the winner.” (Gender + Linking Verb)
Common Linking Verbs with Examples
Here’s a list of the most common linking verbs in English, along with two example sentences for each:
| Linking Verb | Example Sentences |
|---|---|
| Am | I am a student. I am happy. |
| Is | She is a teacher. The book is interesting. |
| Are | They are friends. We are ready. |
| Was | He was a pilot. The movie was boring. |
| Were | We were late. The cookies were delicious. |
| Become | She became a lawyer. The weather became cold. |
| Seem | He seems tired. The plan seems perfect. |
| Appear | The stars appear bright. She appears confident. |
| Feel | I feel sick. The fabric feels soft. |
| Look | You look amazing. The house looks old. |
| Smell | The food smells good. The flowers smell sweet. |
| Sound | The music sounds relaxing. His idea sounds great. |
| Taste | The soup tastes salty. The cake tastes delicious. |
| Remain | She remains calm. The problem remains unsolved. |
| Stay | The children stay quiet. The weather stays warm. |
More Example Sentences
- The teacher is kind and patient.
- The dog became restless during the storm.
- The soup tastes too spicy for me.
- She seems upset about the news.
- The sky appears cloudy today.
- The flowers in the garden smell wonderful.
- The movie sounds interesting.
- He remains focused during the exam.
- The room feels cold without the heater.
- The cake looks delicious on the table.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Linking Verbs vs. Action Verbs: Linking verbs describe a state of being, while action verbs describe an action. For example, “She feels tired” (linking) vs. “She runs every morning” (action).
- Subject-Complement Agreement: Ensure the subject complement agrees with the subject in number and gender. For example, “They are students” (plural) vs. “She is a student” (singular).
- Avoid Overusing “To Be”: While “to be” is the most common linking verb, try using other linking verbs like “become,” “seem,” or “appear” to add variety to your writing.
- Articles and Linking Verbs: Use articles (a, an, the) appropriately with linking verbs. For example, “He is an engineer” (correct) vs. “He is engineer” (incorrect).
- Adjective vs. Adverb: Linking verbs are often followed by adjectives, not adverbs. For example, “She looks happy” (correct) vs. “She looks happily” (incorrect).
Fill in the Blanks: Practice Questions
- She ______ a talented musician.
- The flowers ______ beautiful in the garden.
- He ______ tired after the long journey.
- The soup ______ too salty for my taste.
- They ______ excited about the trip.
- The movie ______ interesting from the trailer.
- I ______ a teacher at the local school.
- The weather ______ cold in the winter.
- The cake ______ delicious at the party.
- The children ______ quiet during the story.
Answers:
- is
- look
- seems
- tastes
- are
- sounds
- am
- becomes
- tasted
- remained
Conclusion
Linking verbs are a fundamental part of English grammar, helping to connect subjects with their descriptions or identities. By understanding their usage and practicing with examples, you can improve your writing and communication skills. Remember to pay attention to subject-complement agreement, avoid overusing “to be,” and use a variety of linking verbs to make your sentences more dynamic. With this guide, you’re now equipped to use linking verbs confidently in any situation.
By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll not only master linking verbs but also optimize your English grammar skills for both everyday conversations and professional writing. Don’t forget to practice with the fill-in-the-blank exercises to reinforce your learning!
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Vikas Kumar is a multilingual educator, language specialist, and book author, and the founder of My Language Classes, an independent language learning platform dedicated to structured, clarity-driven language education.
With over eight years of professional experience working with languages, Vikas has taught and supported learners across English, Spanish, and Japanese, helping them build strong grammatical foundations, practical usage skills, and long-term accuracy. His work focuses on eliminating confusion in language learning by emphasizing structure, patterns, and real usage over rote memorization.
Vikas has worked as a Japanese language expert with multiple multinational organizations, supporting cross-border communication, translation, and language-driven operations in professional environments. Alongside his corporate experience, he has spent several years teaching Japanese and Spanish independently, designing lessons tailored to academic goals, professional needs, and exam preparation.
As an author, Vikas writes structured language learning books that focus on grammar mastery, clarity of usage, and exam-oriented accuracy. His published works include guides on English tenses, verb types, and prepositions, as well as Spanish learning resources aligned with DELE A1 preparation. His books are designed for self-learners, educators, and serious students who want depth, not shortcuts.
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