Linking Verbs| 25 Common Linking Verbs in English

Linking verbs are essential connectors, acting as the glue that binds subjects to descriptions and allows thoughts to flow seamlessly. They help us describe characteristics, states, or sensations rather than actions like “run” or “eat.” By linking the subject to an adjective or another noun, they create a clearer picture of what we want to convey.

For instance, when we say, “She is happy,” the word “links”she ” to”happy,” describing her state of happiness. Similarly, when we say, “The cake tastes delicious,” the word “tastes” shows us how the cake is (or isn’t!) delicious. 

In this guide, we’ll explore the “List of Linking Verbs,” featuring the 25 Common Linking Verbs in English with simple examples and easy-to-understand explanations.

What are linking words?

Linking words are important tools in writing and speaking that help connect ideas, sentences, and paragraphs smoothly. They make our thoughts flow better and help the reader or listener understand the relationships between different parts of our message.

These words can show time, cause and effect, contrast, addition, and examples. By using linking words, we can create more coherent and logical sentences.

List of Linking Verbs in English:

• Be (am, is, are, was, were, being, been)
• Become
• Seem
• Look
• Feel
• Taste
• Smell
• Sound
• Appear
• Grow
• Remain
• Stay
• Turn
• Prove
• Get (when used in the sense of “to become”)
• Keep
• Lie (as in “to be situated or located”)
• Stand
• Go (when used in the sense of “to become”)
• Run (when used in the sense of “to become”)
• Act
• Continue
• Hold
• Resemble
• Seem

Below you will find explanations and examples for each linking verb from the list. These explanations and examples aim to simplify the understanding of each linking verb, allowing you to grasp their usage and relevance in sentences more easily.

Linking verbs examples and explanation

Be (am, is, are, was, were, being, been)

Explanation: Used to describe identity, existence, or condition. Examples:

• She is a talented musician. (describing identity)
• The flowers were beautiful. (describing condition/state)
• He was late to the meeting. (describing condition)
• They are friends. (describing identity)
• The cake is delicious. (describing condition)

Become

Explanation: Indicates a change or transition from one state to another. Examples:

• The caterpillar becomes a butterfly. (describing a change)
• Over time, he became more confident. (showing transition)
• The weather became colder. (indicating change)
• She became a doctor. (indicating change in profession)
• The situation became worse. (indicating a negative change)

Seem

Explanation: Expresses an impression or opinion based on appearances. Examples:

• The movie seems interesting. (expressing an impression)
• The situation seems complicated. (expressing an opinion)
• He seems tired. (expressing an impression)
• This task seems easy. (expressing an opinion)
• The explanation seems clear. (expressing an impression)

Look

Explanation: Describes the way something appears. Examples:

• Emily looks happy. (describing appearance)
• They looked confused. (depicting appearance)
• The sky looks gray. (describing appearance)
• He looks excited. (describing appearance)
• The house looks old. (describing appearance)

Feel

Explanation: Relates to physical sensations or emotional states. Examples:

• The fabric feels soft. (relating to physical sensation)
• She feels anxious before exams. (relating to emotional state)
• The water feels cold. (relating to physical sensation)
• He feels happy. (relating to emotional state)
• The ground feels uneven. (relating to physical sensation)

Taste

Explanation: Describes the flavor experienced by the taste buds. Examples:

• The soup tastes spicy. (describing flavor)
• The cake tastes sweet. (describing flavor)
• This fruit tastes sour. (describing flavor)
• The tea tastes bitter. (describing flavor)
• The sauce tastes savory. (describing flavor)

Smell

Explanation: Relates to the sense of smell. Examples:

• The flowers smell lovely. (relating to smell)
• The bakery smells delicious. (noting a pleasant smell)
• The room smells fresh. (relating to smell)
• The food smells burnt. (relating to smell)
• The perfume smells nice. (relating to smell)

Sound

Explanation: Refers to auditory perception or how something is heard. Examples:

• The music sounds great. (relating to sound)
• His voice sounds familiar. (depicting auditory perception)
• The alarm sounds loud. (relating to sound)
• The lecture sounds boring. (relating to sound)
• The wind sounds eerie. (relating to sound)

Appear

Explanation: Refers to how something looks or seems visually. Examples:

• She appeared tired. (depicting visual impression)
• He appears happy. (depicting visual impression)
• The building appears old. (depicting visual impression)
• The book appears interesting. (depicting visual impression)
• The sky appears clear. (depicting visual impression)

Grow

Explanation: Signifies an increase or development. Examples:

• Plants grow in sunlight. (describing growth)
• The city grew rapidly. (showing development)
• He grew taller. (indicating growth)
• The problem grew worse. (indicating development)
• The company grew successful. (indicating development)

Remain

Explanation: Indicates staying or continuing without change. Examples:

• His opinion remains unchanged despite the new information. (staying in the same state)
• The house remains empty. (indicating continuity)
• She remains calm. (indicating continuity)
• The weather remains the same. (indicating continuity)
• The situation remains uncertain. (indicating continuity)

Stay

Explanation: Describes ongoing state or position. Examples:

• The weather stays sunny throughout the week. (describing ongoing state)
• He stayed quiet. (indicating an ongoing state)
• The door stays open. (indicating an ongoing state)
• She stays in the same job. (indicating continuity)
• The cat stays under the bed. (indicating position)

Turn

Explanation: Represents transformation or change. Examples:

• The leaves turn yellow in autumn. (describing change)
• Her face turned red. (indicating change)
• The sky turned dark. (indicating change)
• The milk turned sour. (indicating transformation)
• He turned pale. (indicating change)

Prove

Explanation: Demonstrates or confirms the truth or validity of something. Examples:

• His actions proved his loyalty. (confirming truth)
• The results proved satisfactory. (confirming validity)
• The theory proved accurate. (confirming truth)
• Her efforts proved successful. (confirming success)
• The experiment proved the hypothesis. (confirming validity)

Get (when used in the sense of “to become”)

Explanation: Indicates a transition or change into a particular state. Examples:

• He gets upset easily. (indicating a quick transition)
• She got tired after work. (indicating transition)
• The situation got worse. (indicating change)
• He gets excited about vacations. (indicating transition)
• The food got cold. (indicating change)

Keep

Explanation: Denotes maintaining or retaining a particular state or condition. Examples:

• They keep quiet during the movie. (maintaining a state)
• He kept calm during the storm. (maintaining a state)
• She keeps busy with work. (maintaining a condition)
• The car kept running. (maintaining a state)
• He keeps smiling. (maintaining a condition)

Lie (as in “to be situated or located”)

Explanation: Indicates placement or positioning of something. Examples:

• The book lies on the table. (indicating position)
• The town lies by the river. (indicating location)
• The answer lies within. (indicating position)
• The key lies under the mat. (indicating position)
• The island lies off the coast. (indicating location)

Stand

Explanation: Refers to maintaining an upright or fixed position. Examples:

• He stands near the door. (indicating position)
• The statue stands tall in the park. (maintaining position)
• She stood still. (indicating position)
• The chair stands by the window. (indicating position)
• The sign stands at the corner. (indicating position)

Go (when used in the sense of “to become”)

Explanation: Indicates a change or transition. Examples:

• She goes crazy when excited. (indicating change)
• The milk goes sour if left out. (indicating transition)
• He went mad with worry. (indicating change)
• The light went out. (indicating change)
• The plan went wrong. (indicating transition)

Run (when used in the sense of “to become”)

Explanation: Refers to the process of transitioning into a state. Examples:

• The water runs cold in winter. (indicating transition)
• The machine ran hot. (indicating change)
• The conversation ran dry. (indicating transition)
• The color ran after washing. (indicating change)
• The well ran dry. (indicating transition)

Act

Explanation: Describes the way someone behaves or appears to behave. Examples:

• He acts brave in dangerous situations. (describing behavior)
• She acted surprised at the party. (indicating appearance of behavior)
• The dog acts protective around strangers. (describing behavior)
• He acts like a leader. (describing behavior)
• The child acted tired after the trip. (indicating appearance of behavior)

Continue

Explanation: Indicates the persistence of an action or state. Examples:

• The team continues to improve. (indicating ongoing action)
• She continues to work hard. (indicating persistence)
• The noise continues throughout the night. (indicating ongoing state)
• He continues to read despite the distractions. (indicating persistence)
• The weather continues to be cold. (indicating ongoing condition)

Hold

Explanation: Indicates maintaining a particular state or position. Examples:

• The argument holds true in many cases. (maintaining truth)
• The theory holds strong despite new evidence. (indicating persistence)
• He holds firm in his beliefs. (maintaining position)
• The painting holds great value. (indicating importance)
• Her explanation holds water. (maintaining validity)

Resemble

Explanation: Indicates similarity or likeness to something. Examples:

• She resembles her mother. (indicating likeness)
• The building resembles a castle. (indicating similarity)
• The taste resembles chocolate. (indicating likeness)
• He resembles his brother. (indicating similarity)
• The sound resembles thunder. (indicating likeness)

Seem

Explanation: Expresses an impression or opinion based on appearances. Examples:

• It seems quiet in the library. (expressing an impression)
• She seems tired after the trip. (expressing an opinion)
• The task seems easy. (expressing an impression)
• He seems annoyed by the delay. (expressing an opinion)
• The plan seems viable. (expressing an impression)

This comprehensive guide on linking verbs, with clear explanations and practical examples, aims to enhance your understanding and effective use of these important connectors in English.

FAQs

Are There Only 23 Linking Verbs?

No, there are more than 23 linking verbs in English. While the list provided covers many of the most common linking verbs, there are additional verbs that can function as linking verbs depending on the context. The exact number can vary based on how broadly one defines linking verbs.

How Do I Identify a Linking Verb?

To identify a linking verb, you can use these tips:

• Check the Function: Linking verbs connect the subject with a subject complement (an adjective, noun, or pronoun that describes or renames the subject). They do not show action.
• Substitution Test: Replace the verb with a form of “to be” (am, is, are, was, were). If the sentence still makes sense, it’s likely a linking verb. Example: “She feels tired” → “She is tired.”
• Look at What Follows: Linking verbs are typically followed by an adjective, noun, or pronoun, not by an object that answers “what?” or “whom?”

What Are Linking Verbs for Dummies?

Linking verbs are verbs that connect the subject of a sentence to additional information about that subject. They do not show action. Instead, they link the subject with a word that describes or identifies it.

Examples:

• She is happy.
• The soup tastes good.
• He seems tired.

How to Teach Linking Verbs?

• Explain the Concept: Start with a simple definition and examples.
• Substitution Method: Teach students to replace the verb with a form of “to be” to see if it still makes sense.
• Sentence Practice: Provide sentences where students identify and underline the linking verbs.
• Comparison: Show examples of action verbs versus linking verbs.
• Interactive Activities: Use flashcards, matching games, and sentence creation activities.

Is “Smells” a Linking Verb?

Yes, “smells” can be a linking verb. When it connects the subject to a description (as in “The flower smells lovely”), it functions as a linking verb. If it describes an action (as in “She smells the flower”), it is not a linking verb.

What Are the Most Used Linking Words?

Common linking words (also known as transition words) include:

• Addition: and, also, furthermore, moreover
• Contrast: but, however, although, yet
• Cause and Effect: because, therefore, thus, consequently
• Time: first, next, then, finally

What Are the Strong Linking Verbs?

Strong linking verbs are those that clearly convey a state of being or a connection. Examples include:

• Be (am, is, are, was, were, being, been)
• Become
• Seem
• Appear
• Feel

What Is the Linking Verb Rule?

The rule for linking verbs is that they connect the subject of the sentence to a subject complement, which is either a noun, pronoun, or adjective that describes or identifies the subject. They do not show action but rather a state of being or condition.

How Do You Avoid Linking Verbs?

To avoid overusing linking verbs:

• Use Active Verbs: Replace linking verbs with action verbs that show what the subject is doing.
  • Instead of “She is happy,” use “She smiles often.”
• Rewrite the Sentence: Change the structure of the sentence to use an active verb.
  • Instead of “The cake is delicious,” use “The cake tastes delicious.”

How to Tell If It’s a Linking Verb?

To determine if a verb is a linking verb:

• Substitution Test: Replace the verb with a form of “to be.” If the sentence still makes sense, it’s likely a linking verb.
• Subject Complement Check: See if the verb is followed by an adjective, noun, or pronoun that describes or renames the subject.
• Action Test: Consider if the verb shows an action. If it does not, it’s likely a linking verb.

Conclusion

In conclusion, linking verbs play a crucial role in connecting subjects with their descriptions or states in sentences. They facilitate clear communication by establishing relationships between the subject and additional information. Understanding how to identify and use linking verbs enhances the clarity and coherence of writing and speech. By employing active teaching methods, such as substitution exercises and practical examples, educators can effectively impart this foundational aspect of grammar to learners. Remembering to balance linking verbs with action verbs enriches language expression and ensures dynamic communication. Mastering these concepts empowers writers and speakers to convey ideas with precision and impact.