Linking Verbs

The complete guide to copular verbs that connect subjects to their complements in English

A linking verb (also called copular verb) connects the subject of a sentence to a subject complement (either a predicate noun/nominative or predicate adjective) that describes or renames it. These verbs express a state of being rather than an action.

Why Linking Verbs Matter

Linking verbs are essential for constructing complete sentences, describing states of being, and creating clear relationships between subjects and their characteristics. They form the foundation of many essential sentence patterns in English.

Quick Examples:
  • She is a talented musician.
  • The soup smells delicious.
  • They became close friends.
  • Your explanation sounds reasonable.
  • The task appears difficult.
Key Characteristics:
  • Connect subjects to complements (not objects)
  • Do not show action
  • Can be followed by adjectives or nouns
  • Essential for descriptive and definitional sentences
  • Often tested in standardized exams

Core Types of Linking Verbs

1. Primary Linking Verbs (Forms of "To Be")

The most fundamental linking verbs, expressing existence or state of being:

Conjugations:
  • am, is, are
  • was, were
  • be, being, been
Examples:
  • I am ready for the test.
  • They were the best candidates.
  • She has been my friend for years.

2. Sensory Linking Verbs

Describe perception or appearance (often related to the five senses):

Common Verbs:
  • look, sound, smell
  • taste, feel, appear, seem
Examples:
  • You look tired today.
  • His idea sounds promising.
  • The flowers smell fragrant.
Note:

These can be action verbs when describing deliberate actions: "She looked at the painting" (action) vs. "She looked happy" (linking)

3. Condition/State Linking Verbs

Describe a state of being or change of state:

Common Verbs:
  • become, grow, turn, prove
  • remain, stay, keep
  • get, go, come, fall
Examples:
  • She became a doctor.
  • His fears proved unfounded.
  • The leaves turned yellow.

4. Measurement Linking Verbs

Describe quantities or measurements:

Common Verbs:
  • weigh, measure, equal
  • cost, total, number
Examples:
  • The package weighs five pounds.
  • The bill came to $45.
  • Two plus two equals four.

Detailed Usage Rules

1. Linking Verb Patterns

Linking verbs create two fundamental sentence patterns:

Subject + LV + Predicate Nominative (Noun/Pronoun):

She is the manager.

They became partners.

Subject + LV + Predicate Adjective:

The test was difficult.

Your suggestion sounds excellent.

2. Adjective vs. Adverb with Linking Verbs

Linking verbs are followed by adjectives (not adverbs) because they describe the subject:

Correct (Adjective):

She looks happy. (Describes "she")

The music sounds beautiful. (Describes "music")

Incorrect (Adverb):

✖ She looks happily. (Unless meaning "she is looking in a happy manner")

✖ The music sounds beautifully.

3. Tense Usage with Linking Verbs

Linking verbs can be used in all tenses, but not normally in continuous forms:

Simple Present:

He is my brother.

Present Continuous:

✖ He is being my brother. (Incorrect - stative meaning)

✔ He is being difficult. (Correct when "be" means "behave")

Simple Past:

She was the team leader.

Present Perfect:

They have been friends for years.

Future:

I will be ready soon.

4. Linking vs. Action Verb Pairs

Many verbs can function as both linking and action verbs:

Linking Verb:

The chef tastes the soup. (Action - the chef performs tasting)

Action Verb:

The soup tastes salty. (Linking - describes the soup)

More Examples:
  • She felt the fabric. (Action) vs. The fabric felt soft. (Linking)
  • He grew vegetables. (Action) vs. He grew tired. (Linking)
  • We appeared on stage. (Action) vs. We appeared happy. (Linking)

5. Subject-Verb Agreement

Linking verbs must agree with their subjects, not complements:

Correct:

Her main problem is the frequent delays. (Singular verb with "problem")

The frequent delays are her main problem. (Plural verb with "delays")

Incorrect:

✖ Her main problem are the frequent delays.

✖ The frequent delays is her main problem.

Advanced Usage: Nuances and Subtleties

1. "Be" with Predicate Nominatives vs. Adjectives

Predicate Nominative (Noun):

She is a doctor. (Identifies her profession)

Predicate Adjective:

She is professional. (Describes her quality)

Note:

Some adjectives look like nouns but function adjectivally: "That behavior is very child." (Incorrect) vs. "That behavior is very childish." (Correct)

2. Change-of-State Verbs with Different Meanings

  • go + negative states: "went bad/bald/crazy"
  • turn + colors: "turned red/white/green"
  • grow + gradual changes: "grew quiet/strong/weak"
  • fall + involuntary states: "fell ill/silent/victim"

3. "Seem" vs. "Appear"

Seem:

More subjective, based on impression: "He seems tired."

Appear:

More objective, based on observation: "He appears tired (based on his pale face)."

4. Linking Verbs in Passive Constructions

Some linking verbs can form passive-like structures:

  • He is gone. (Not passive but similar structure)
  • She was married. (Can be stative or passive)
  • They seemed surprised by the news.

5. Linking Verbs with Infinitives

  • She appears to be intelligent.
  • They seemed to understand.
  • The solution proved to be effective.

Linking Verbs in Academic Writing

1. Defining Terms and Concepts

  • Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy.
  • A hypothesis represents a tentative explanation.
  • These results constitute significant evidence.

2. Describing States and Conditions

  • The participants were unaware of the study's purpose.
  • The data appears consistent with previous findings.
  • The solution remained stable throughout the experiment.

3. Presenting Conclusions

  • These findings are significant for three reasons.
  • The theory proves inadequate to explain the phenomenon.
  • Our results seem to contradict earlier assumptions.

4. Common Academic Collocations

  • The evidence seems compelling.
  • This approach appears promising.
  • The results remain inconclusive.
  • The problem lies in the methodology.
  • These factors constitute the theoretical framework.

Common Errors and How to Avoid Them

1. Using Adverbs Instead of Adjectives

Incorrect:

"The flowers smell sweetly."

Correct:

"The flowers smell sweet."

2. Confusing Linking and Action Verbs

Incorrect:

"She looked happily at her present." (If meaning "she appeared happy")

Correct:

"She looked happy about her present." (Linking verb meaning)

OR "She looked happily at her present." (Action verb meaning - she looked in a happy manner)

3. Incorrect Subject-Verb Agreement

Incorrect:

"The main advantage are the lower costs."

Correct:

"The main advantage is the lower costs."

4. Overusing "To Be" Verbs

Weak:

"There is a possibility that the results are inaccurate."

Stronger:

"The results may be inaccurate."

5. Incorrect Use of Change-of-State Verbs

Incorrect:

"The milk became sourly."

Correct:

"The milk became sour."

Standardized Test Focus (IELTS, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.)

1. Error Identification Questions

Identify the error:

"The solution to the math problem (A) appeared (B) obviously (C) once we (D) reviewed the formula."

Answer: (C) - should be "obvious" (adjective needed after linking verb)

2. Sentence Completion Questions

Choose the correct verb form:

"After months of practice, she _____ quite proficient at the violin."

  • A) became
  • B) became to be
  • C) becoming
  • D) has became

Answer: A) "became" (correct past tense linking verb)

3. Writing Section Tips

  • Use precise linking verbs in definitions and descriptions
  • Vary linking verbs for better style (avoid overusing "is/are")
  • Ensure adjective-noun agreement after linking verbs

4. Speaking Test Tips

  • Use natural linking verbs in Part 1 (descriptions)
  • Demonstrate range in Part 2 (describing people/places)
  • Use academic linking verbs in Part 3 (abstract discussion)

Practice Activities

1. Fill-in-the-Blank

Complete with appropriate linking verbs:

  1. The weather _____ warmer as spring approached.
  2. Your proposal _____ quite reasonable.
  3. She _____ the team leader last year.
Possible Answers:
  1. became/grew/turned
  2. sounds/seems/appears
  3. became/was

2. Error Correction

Correct these sentences:

  1. The children looked happily after their nap.
  2. The soup tastes deliciously.
  3. One of the main problems are the lack of funding.
Answers:
  1. The children looked happy after their nap.
  2. The soup tastes delicious.
  3. One of the main problems is the lack of funding.

3. Sentence Transformation

Rewrite these sentences using different linking verbs:

  1. Original: She is a talented musician.
    Rewrite: She _____ a talented musician.
  2. Original: The cake was delicious.
    Rewrite: The cake _____ delicious.
  3. Original: They are my closest friends.
    Rewrite: They _____ my closest friends.
Possible Answers:
  1. She became/remains/proved to be a talented musician.
  2. The cake tasted/smelled/looked delicious.
  3. They became/remain/proved to be my closest friends.

Comprehensive Reference Table

Type Linking Verb Example Common Errors
Primary be (is, am, are, etc.) They are students. ✖ They are study. (Should be noun/adjective)
Sensory look, sound, smell You look tired. ✖ You look tiredly.
Condition become, remain, seem She became angry. ✖ She became angrily.
Measurement weigh, cost, equal It costs $20. ✖ It costs expensively.

Final Checklist for Mastery

  • ✓ Can identify linking verbs in sentences
  • ✓ Understand the difference between linking and action verbs
  • ✓ Know when to use adjectives vs. adverbs
  • ✓ Can use various linking verb types appropriately
  • ✓ Recognize common errors
  • ✓ Apply knowledge to test questions
  • ✓ Use varied linking verbs in writing/speaking
Pro Tip:

To test if a verb is linking, try replacing it with a form of "be." If the sentence still makes sense, it's probably a linking verb: "The soup smells good" → "The soup is good" (still makes sense = linking verb).