Table of Contents
What Are Linking Verbs?
A linking verb (also called a copular verb or copula) is a verb that connects the subject of a sentence to a word or phrase that describes or identifies it. Unlike action verbs, which express what the subject does, linking verbs express what the subject is, seems, or becomes.
In the sentence "The sky is blue," the linking verb "is" connects the subject "sky" to the adjective "blue," which describes the sky. No action is being performed—the verb simply links two pieces of information together.
Linking verbs are among the most frequently used verbs in English and are fundamental to English grammar. Understanding them is essential for correct sentence construction, proper pronoun usage, and distinguishing between adjectives and adverbs in descriptions.
Linking Verbs vs Action Verbs
The distinction between linking verbs and action verbs is crucial because it affects how the rest of the sentence is structured:
| Feature | Linking Verb | Action Verb |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Connects subject to description | Expresses action performed by subject |
| Followed by | Subject complement (adjective or noun) | Direct object, adverb, or nothing |
| Passive voice | Not possible | Possible (if transitive) |
| Example | She seems happy. | She ran quickly. |
| Descriptor type | Adjective (She seems happy) | Adverb (She ran quickly) |
This distinction has a practical consequence: after a linking verb, you use an adjective (not an adverb) to describe the subject. "The food smells good" (adjective, with linking verb) is correct, while "The food smells well" would mean the food is skilled at the act of smelling.
Subject Complements
The word or phrase that follows a linking verb and describes or identifies the subject is called a subject complement. There are two types:
Predicate Adjective
A predicate adjective describes the subject:
- The water is cold.
- She seems tired.
- The flowers smell sweet.
- His explanation was clear and concise.
Predicate Nominative
A predicate nominative (predicate noun) renames or identifies the subject:
- She is a teacher.
- The winner was Maria.
- That became the main issue.
- He remained a loyal friend throughout.
Forms of "Be"
The verb "be" is the most common and most important linking verb in English. It has more forms than any other English verb:
| Form | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| am | First person singular present | I am a student. |
| is | Third person singular present | She is brilliant. |
| are | Plural present / second person | They are ready. |
| was | Singular past | He was the captain. |
| were | Plural past / subjunctive | We were surprised. |
| be | Infinitive / subjunctive | She wants to be an artist. |
| being | Present participle | You are being unreasonable. |
| been | Past participle | He has been helpful. |
"Be" always functions as a linking verb when it connects the subject to a description or identification. Note that "be" can also function as an auxiliary verb in progressive tenses ("She is running") and passive voice ("The cake was eaten"), which are different from its linking function.
Become, Seem, and Appear
After "be," the next most common linking verbs are become, seem, and appear. These verbs always or almost always function as linking verbs:
Become
"Become" indicates a change of state or identity:
- She became a doctor after years of study.
- The weather became colder as winter approached.
- Their disagreement became a serious problem.
Seem
"Seem" expresses an appearance or impression:
- The task seems impossible.
- He seemed nervous during the interview.
- Everything seems fine on the surface.
Appear
"Appear" works similarly to "seem" when used as a linking verb:
- She appears confident.
- The damage appeared minimal at first.
- The solution appears straightforward.
Sensory Linking Verbs
Five verbs related to the senses frequently function as linking verbs: look, sound, smell, taste, and feel. When these verbs describe the subject rather than an action, they are linking verbs:
- You look tired. (describes "you")
- That sounds wonderful. (describes "that")
- The bread smells amazing. (describes "the bread")
- This tea tastes bitter. (describes "this tea")
- The fabric feels soft. (describes "the fabric")
A critical grammar point: because these are linking verbs, they are followed by adjectives, not adverbs. "The soup tastes good" (adjective) is correct. "The soup tastes well" is incorrect unless you mean the soup is good at the act of tasting.
State-of-Being and Change-of-State Verbs
Beyond the core linking verbs, several others express either a continuing state or a change in state:
Continuing State
- Remain: He remained calm during the crisis.
- Stay: Please stay quiet during the performance.
- Keep: The audience kept still.
- Continue: The weather continued warm through October.
Change of State
- Become: She became famous overnight.
- Grow: The children grew restless.
- Turn: The leaves turned golden.
- Get: It's getting dark outside.
- Go: The milk went sour.
- Come: The prediction came true.
- Fall: She fell silent.
- Run: The river ran dry.
- Prove: The theory proved correct.
Complete List of Linking Verbs
Here is a comprehensive list of English verbs that can function as linking verbs:
| Category | Linking Verbs |
|---|---|
| Forms of "be" | am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been |
| Always/almost always linking | become, seem |
| Sensory verbs | look, sound, smell, taste, feel |
| State verbs | appear, remain, stay, keep, continue |
| Change-of-state verbs | grow, turn, get, go, come, fall, run, prove, end up, wind up |
Verbs That Can Be Linking or Action
Many of the verbs listed above can also function as action verbs in different contexts. The same word may be a linking verb in one sentence and an action verb in another:
| Verb | As Linking Verb | As Action Verb |
|---|---|---|
| look | She looks happy. (= seems happy) | She looked out the window. (physical action) |
| smell | The roses smell fragrant. (= are fragrant) | She smelled the roses. (physical action of sniffing) |
| taste | The cake tastes sweet. (= is sweet) | He tasted the sauce. (physical action of sampling) |
| feel | I feel sick. (= am sick) | She felt the fabric. (physical action of touching) |
| grow | She grew impatient. (= became impatient) | He grows tomatoes. (physical action) |
| turn | His face turned red. (= became red) | She turned the page. (physical action) |
| appear | He appears nervous. (= seems nervous) | A rabbit appeared from the hat. (came into view) |
The Substitution Test
If you are unsure whether a verb is functioning as a linking verb or an action verb in a particular sentence, try substituting a form of "be" (am, is, are, was, were). If the sentence still makes sense, the verb is a linking verb:
"The flowers smell wonderful." → "The flowers are wonderful." ✓ Makes sense → linking verb.
"She smelled the flowers." → "She was the flowers." ✗ Doesn't make sense → action verb.
This test works for almost all cases and is the quickest way to identify linking verbs in practice.
Common Mistakes
Using Adverbs Instead of Adjectives
Incorrect: "The music sounds beautifully."
Correct: "The music sounds beautiful."
After a linking verb, use an adjective to describe the subject, not an adverb. This is because the descriptor modifies the subject (a noun), not the verb.
"Good" vs "Well" After Linking Verbs
"I feel good." (correct — "good" is an adjective describing "I")
"I feel well." (also correct — but "well" here means "healthy")
"Good" is the standard adjective to use after linking verbs. "Well" is an adjective only when it means "in good health."
Confusing Linking and Action Uses
Failing to recognize when a verb is linking versus action leads to grammar errors. If "look" is an action verb, you use an adverb: "She looked carefully at the map." If "look" is a linking verb, you use an adjective: "She looks beautiful today."
Summary
Linking verbs connect subjects to descriptions or identifications rather than expressing actions. The verb "be" in all its forms is the most common linking verb, followed by "become," "seem," and the sensory verbs "look," "sound," "smell," "taste," and "feel." Many of these verbs can also function as action verbs depending on context—the substitution test (replacing the verb with a form of "be") is the most reliable way to tell the difference.
The most important practical rule: after a linking verb, use an adjective (not an adverb) to describe the subject. This knowledge is essential for grammatical correctness and clear, precise writing.