NeedGrammar

Linking Verbs With Examples

Linking verbs definition

A linking verb functions as a connection between a subject and the rest of the sentence. Rather than serving to show action themselves, they “link” the subject by connecting it to further information, usually an adjective, noun, or pronoun that describes it. In other words, linking verbs re-identify or to describe the subject, linking it to a subject complement.

To help you understand, consider the following examples:

✏️ Here, “Farah” is the subject, “looks” represents the linking verb, and “beautiful (in that dress)” is the subject complement.

✏️ Here, “cat” is the subject, “is” represents the linking verb, and “hungry” is an adjective.

These verbs are not used to express an action but rather a condition or state of being. The most common linking verb is to be. However, here are many others, including all verbs related to the senses. These include is, am, are, was, were, be, been, being, seems, becomes, feels, and appears.

Here are some examples of helping verbs in sentences:

How to identifty a linking verb

Sometimes it may be difficult to tell if a verb is a linking verb. However, you can always try replacing the verb with a form of “to be” as a simple test. You will know it is a linking verb if the sentence still makes sense and has almost the same meaning.

Consider the following examples:

✏️ These two sentences have the same meaning, so you know “feels” is a linking verb.

✏️ These two sentences have the same meaning, so you know “appears” is a linking verb.

List of common linking verbs:

Linking Verb Linking Verb Linking Verb Linking Verb
act acted am appear
appeared to be are are being be
became become can be come
could be could have come did do
does fall feel fell
felt get go got
grew grow had had become
had been had seemed has has appeared
has become has been has seemed have
have appeared have become have been have seemed
indicate is is being is getting
keep look looked may be
might be might have been must prove
remain remained seem seemed
seeming seems shall be shall have been
should be should have appeared should have been smell
sound stay stayed taste
tasted turn was was being
wax waxed went were
will be will become will have become will have been