Linking Verbs | Definition, Usage, Types, List and Worksheet

We’ve studied verbs, the state of doing an action, and action verbs represents actions done by an individual or an object. But are there any types of verbs that do not perform a particular action but link the subject with the subject complement? These are linking verbs.

Table of Contents

Linking Verbs Definition:

A linking verb is also called a copular verb. Linking Verb don’t perform any action and connect the subject with a subject complement.

For example:

Evans is nervous.

Here, “is” is the linking verb, it connects the subject “Evans” with the adjective “nervous”.

Linking Verbs Examples:

Be
Seem
Appear
Become
Feel
Remain
Look
Smell
Taste
Sound
Stay
Turn
Grow
Prove

Example Sentences:

My sister is a skilled girl.
We became very scared after the wobble.
She seems suspicious.
This food tastes terrible.

Usage of Linking Verb in a sentence:

Use linking verb in a way that complies with subject-verb agreement. A linking verb always comes before a subject complement. Subject complement defines the subject, providing more information. The subject complement is of two types.

Predicate nominatives:

It is the type of subject complement that describes the subject using a noun phrase or a noun.

Predicate adjectives:

The type of subject complement that describes the subject using an adjectival phrase or adjective.

The Two Types of Linking Verbs:

These can be classified into two main types. These are:

Primary Linking Verb
Auxiliary Linking Verb

Primary Linking Verb:

It represent condition or state. For Example:

Be
Become
Seem
Appear
Remain
Feel
Look
Smell
Sound
Taste
Stay
Grow
Turn
Prove

Auxiliary Linking Verb:

It is also called a helping linking verb. It represents the state of being from the past, present, or future. For Example:

Have
Had
Has
Do
Did
Does
Will
Would

A to Z List of linking verbs PDF

Appear
Be
Become
Did
Do
Does
Feel
Grow
Had
Has
Have
Look
Prove
Remain
Seem
Smell
Sound
Stay
Taste
Turn
Will
Would

Linking Verbs List

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Rules to use Linking Verbs in a sentence:

Linking verb can also serve as intransitive verb. Intransitive verbs don’t represent direct objects. If the verbs represent the direct object, it is not the linking verb.
The Linking verb is an irregular verb when it comes to pluralization.
Linking verb are very rarely used as continuous verb tenses.
Linking verb don’t represent action. This differentiates them from action verbs. You can refer to linking verb, as stative verbs. But not all the stative verbs are linking verb.
Linking verb must comply with subject-verb agreement.
Use singular linking verb for Singular subject.
Use plural linking verb for Plural subject.
Be careful while using adverb with linking verb. Adverbs may change the context of a sentence.