Linking Verbs

Linking Verbs Definition

Unlike traditional verbs, which are ‘doing’ words and express a physical or mental action, or a state of being, linking verbs do not express action. They simply indicate that a subject exists and connect the subject with another word, that provides information about it (the subject complement). Effectively, linking verbs join the subject to the rest of the sentence.

For example:

Mary is tall.

Mary = subject
is = linking verb
tall = subject complement

Rules for Linking Verbs

There are some important rules to remember with linking verbs:

Linking verbs are usually followed by a subject complement.

When a sentence contains a linking verb, the subject complement may be either a noun or an adjective.

When the primary verb in a sentence is a linking verb, and the subject complement is a noun, the subject and the complement are equal i.e. interchangeable.

For example:

Mrs Maynard is the headteacher of the local school.

The headteacher of the local school is Mrs Maynard.

Mr Maynard = headteacher of local school

Luke is the highest goal scorer.

The highest goal scorer is Luke.

Luke = highest goal scorer

Linking verbs perform differently from action verbs. Action verbs can be modified by adverbs whereas linking verbs are not, and are typically followed by adjectives.

For example:

The fish smells bad. (correct)

The fish smells badly. (incorrect)

Common Linking Verbs

The most common linking verb is the verb ‘to be‘ and its derivative forms. Sensory linking verbs, that is verbs which relate to the five senses, are also common. Common linking verbs include:

Derivative forms of the verb ‘to be,’ ‘to seem,’ ‘to appear,’ and ‘to become:’ be, am, is, are, was, were, been, can, could, shall, should, may, might, must, have, has, had, had been, will be, seem, had seemed, become, became, appear, appeared, appears etc

Sensory linking verbs: taste, look, smell, sound and feel

Less common linking verbs: grow, turn, prove, remain, stay etc

The verbs ‘to be,’ ‘to seem,’ and ‘to become’ are always used to link the subject to the subject complement. The other verbs, may be used as ‘action’ verbs, as well as linking verbs.

For example:

He looks on in amazement. (action verb)

He looks dreadful. (linking verb)

Checking for Linking Verbs

A simple way to check for a linking verb is to replace it with a verb form of ‘to be’ or another linking verb such as ‘seemed’ or ‘became.’ If the sentence still makes sense, then it is a linking verb.

For example:

He looks on in amazement. (action verb)

He was on in amazement.

He seemed on in amazement.

He looks dreadful. (linking verb)

He was dreadful.

He seemed dreadful.