Is the word have a linking verb

There are several different types of verbs, and each verb has a very different function in a sentence. For example, action verbs describe the action being done by the subject. Auxiliary verbs help other verbs by adding tense, mood, voice, or modality. 

Linking verbs do not do either of these things; instead, they provide a connection or “link” between the subject of the sentence and a noun or adjective that describes or identifies that subject. 

In this blog post, we will focus on learning how to recognize and use linking verbs, but you can learn more about the other types of verbs on Albert. 

To better understand how linking verbs work, it can be helpful to picture a chain-link fence. Hundreds of steel wires connect together to make a solid barrier to keep something in or out. Just one of these wires on its own cannot protect much of anything, but once it is linked to another wire and another, it becomes something much stronger. 

Similarly, when we use linking verbs to “link” or connect our subjects to other nouns or adjectives to help describe that subject, we make our subjects and overall sentences stronger. 

Think about the following sentence: 

• The girl walked down the street. 

This sentence uses an action verb to describe what the subject is doing, but the reader does not know much else about this girl who is walking. We do not know what she looks like, how she is feeling, or what she likes to do in her free time. All we can do is imagine a figure moving down a road. 

This is where linking verbs are essential. Linking verbs allow the writer to add descriptive details about the subject throughout the sentence. Here is the same sentence, but with linking verbs added: 

• The girl walking down the street had blonde hair tucked under a wide-brimmed straw hat and was delighted to see that her favorite ice cream shop had just opened for the day. 

Suddenly, an image of this girl begins to appear in our minds. We can see her smiling as she skips happily toward the ice cream shop. Linking verbs have the power to activate these images in readers’ minds by connecting descriptive nouns and adjectives to the subject. 

When you’re ready, test yourself with a quiz  and practice with our high-quality, standards-aligned questions here.

The Basics of Linking Verbs

What is a linking verb? 

Linking verbs connect or “link” the subject of a sentence with a noun or an adjective that describes that subject. 

For example: 

• He felt tired after the weekend baseball tournament. 

In this sentence, felt is a linking verb that connects the descriptive adjective, tired, to the subject, he. 

How are linking verbs different from action verbs? 

While linking verbs and action verbs are both able to connect the subject of the sentence to another noun in the sentence, their purpose is doing so is different. 

For example: 

• Lisa called her sister to reschedule their annual beach trip. 

In this sentence, called is an action verb because it describes the action performed by the subject. Even though the noun, sister, follows this verb, this noun does not describe the subject, Lisa. Therefore, called cannot be a linking verb and must be an action verb. 

Here is a different example: 

• Stephanie was Lisa’s sister. 

In this sentence, was is a linking verb because it connects the subject, Stephanie, to a noun that describes the subject.

How are linking verbs different from auxiliary verbs? 

It is easy to confuse linking verbs with auxiliary verbs since many auxiliary verbs look exactly the same as linking verbs; however, there is a way to quickly analyze whether a verb is linking or auxiliary. 

Auxiliary verbs cannot exist in a sentence without another verb, while linking verbs can stand on their own in a sentence. 

For example, the word have can be an auxiliary verb or a linking verb depending on how it is used in a sentence. 

• Have you ridden the new Flight of Passage ride at Animal Kingdom yet? 

In this sentence, have is an auxiliary verb because it is paired with the action verb, ridden. 

Now look at this sentence: 

• I have a collection of 300 silly bands from elementary school. 

In this sentence, have is a linking verb that describes the subject using another noun: collection. 

What is the relationship between these three types of verbs? 

• Action verbs and linking verbs are alike in that they can both stand alone in a sentence without the help of any other verbs.
• Action verbs and linking verbs are different in that action verbs show what action the subject is performing while linking verbs describe the noun by linking descriptors.
• Auxiliary verbs and linking verbs are alike in that many of the same words can be either auxiliary or linking verbs.
• Auxiliary verbs and linking verbs are different in that auxiliary verbs must connect to another verb in the sentence to make sense while linking verbs can stand on their own.
• Additionally, while auxiliary verbs help the verb show tense, mood, voice, or modality, linking verbs help describe the subject by connecting descriptive nouns or adjectives.

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3 Tips for Understanding Linking Verbs

Here are some important tips to help you understand linking verbs: 

Tip #1. The most common linking verb is any form of the verb “to be”

• For example, if a writer wanted to say that “I am quick-witted” or that “he is good at math” or that “we are going to the movies later”, these are all examples of different members of the “to be” linking verb family. 

Tip #2. Other common linking verbs are “sense” verbs

• For example, many verbs such as feel, seem, smell, taste, look, appear, or sound can act as linking verbs. 
• However, writers must be very careful! These same verbs can be action verbs, so you must make sure to use these correctly. 
• For example: 
  • The bald eagle in the zoo looked unamused with his current environment. 
• In this sentence, looked is a linking verb that “links” the adjective, unamused, with the subject, the bald eagle. 
• Here is a different example: 
  • The bald eagle looked across the cold, dark water for his next meal. 
• In this sentence, looked is an action verb because it describes the action being performed by the subject. 

Tip #3. Linking verbs are a useful descriptive tool for writers

• Especially when you are writing creatively, it can be difficult to develop your characters and settings while still moving along the plot. 
• Linking verbs are a great tool for describing physical details about both characters and settings as well as emotional and psychological details about characters. 
• For example, if the main character of a story was Miles Morales, the writer could say:
  • Miles Morales was bitten by a radioactive spider. 
• That sentence gives the reader a sense of the action of the story, but the reader still cannot picture Miles in their head or understand when and how he was bitten. 
• Instead, if the writer chose to use linking verbs, the sentence could go more like this: 
  • Miles Morales was the son of a police officer, and Miles was an artist creating neon-colored murals beneath a bustling city when he was bitten by a radioactive spider. 
• Now, thanks to the linking verb, was, the writer has been able to give context for both Miles’ character and the setting of the story. The reader is likely to be more engaged now that they are more fully informed. 

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Applying the Basics: Linking Verb Review & Practice

Now that you understand how linking verbs function in sentences, review the anchor chart below and complete the review to fully understand how to use and recognize linking verbs. 

The Ultimate List of Linking Verbs

Refer to the graphic below to learn the different types of linking verbs:

This list, obviously, does not include all possible linking verbs; however, it is meant to be used as a guide while identifying this type of verb.

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Linking Verb Exercises and Review 

Now that you know some common linking verbs, test your ability to find these verbs.

Select the linking verb(s) in the sentences below. Remember, the purpose of the verbs is to connect or “link” nouns or adjectives to the subject in order to describe it. 

1. Eleven was unsure if she could trust Mike after he lied to her. 

• In this sentence, was is a linking verb because it helps describe how Eleven felt when she was betrayed by her friend. 

2. Billy felt sick after being possessed by the Mind Flayer. 

• In this sentence, felt is a linking verb that connects the subject, Billy, to the description of how he feels after his encounter with the Mind Flayer. 

3. Steve’s mom exclaimed that her son smelled stinky and needed an immediate shower. 

•  In this sentence, smelled is a linking verb that describes Steve and how badly he needed a shower. 

4. Will’s mother was determined to find her son and bring him back from the Upside Down. 

• In this sentence, was is a linking verb that describes Will’s mother by connecting to a descriptive adjective, determined. 

5. As Alexei tasted the cherry slush, he felt much more willing to divulge important information. 

• In this sentence, there is only one linking verb! While it seems like tasted should be a linking verb, it is not. Remember, the noun after the verb has to give a description of the subject. Since it does not and instead describes what Alexei tasted, it is an action verb. 
• Therefore, the only linking verb in this sentence is felt. Since we can ask, “how did Alexei feel?” and find that the answer is the adjective, “willing”, we know that felt is a linking verb connecting willing to the subject, he (Alexei). 

Pro tip: When evaluating whether a verb is a linking verb, ask yourself these questions: 

1. Is the verb connecting or linking a noun or adjective to the subject? 
2. Does the noun or adjective describe the subject? 
3. If the answer to both of these questions is “yes”, then the verb is linking.

For additional practice, check out our Linking Verb practice content on Albert.

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Try for Yourself: Linking Verbs Quiz

Feeling confident in your understanding of linking verbs? 

Take this short six-question quiz to see what you’ve learned:

1. Can a linking verb connect two nouns in a sentence? 

• Answer: Yes 
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! A linking verb can connect two nouns in a sentence as long as the second noun describes the first. 
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, a linking verb connects a noun or an adjective to the subject of the sentence in order to describe it. 

2. Can linking verbs and auxiliary verbs be used in the same way in a sentence? 

• Answer: No  
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! Linking verbs and auxiliary verbs have very different functions. While linking verbs connect a noun or an adjective to the subject of the sentence in order to describe it, auxiliary verbs attach to other verbs to add tense, mood, voice, or modality. 
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, linking verbs connect a noun or an adjective to the subject of the sentence in order to describe it, while auxiliary verbs attach to other verbs to add tense, mood, voice, or modality. 

3. In this sentence, is the word, “was” a linking verb or an auxiliary verb? 

The cat was asleep before being awakened suddenly by the hyper dog. 

• Answer: Linking Verb
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The verb was is a linking verb in this sentence because it connects the descriptive adjective, asleep, to the subject, cat. 
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, linking verbs connect a noun or an adjective to the subject of the sentence in order to describe it, while auxiliary verbs attach to other verbs to add tense, mood, voice, or modality. 

4. In this sentence, is the word, “sounds” a linking verb or an action verb? 

The fire engine sounds an alarm for all traffic to move aside. 

• Answer: Action
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The action verb sounds is being used to describe the action performed by the subject, fire engine. 
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, a linking verb connects a descriptive noun or adjective to the subject, while an action verb describes the action being performed by the subject. 

5. In this sentence, is the word, “have” a linking verb or an auxiliary verb? 

I have not completed my Biology homework yet. 

• Answer: Auxiliary
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! In this sentence, the word have is an auxiliary verb because it connects to the main verb, completed, in order to express tense. 
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, linking verbs connect a noun or an adjective to the subject of the sentence in order to describe it, while auxiliary verbs attach to other verbs to add tense, mood, voice, or modality.

6. In this sentence, is the word, “felt”, a linking verb or an action verb? 

It felt drafty and eerie in the old, abandoned house. 

• Answer: Linking
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! Felt is a linking verb that connects the subject, it, to the descriptive adjectives, drafty and eerie. 
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, a linking verb connects a descriptive noun or adjective to the subject, while an action verb describes the action being performed by the subject. 

For additional practice with linking verbs, check out our practice on Albert: Linking Verbs.

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Teacher’s Corner for Linking Verbs

As teachers, we know that student comprehension of grammatical concepts is crucial in developing confident writers, readers, and speakers. Even though students may learn these concepts early on in Elementary school, the Common Core English Language Progressive Skills Chart shows that students should continue practicing these concepts to achieve true mastery. 

For specific standards on the different types of verbs including linking verbs, check out the Common Core State Standards site. 

Albert’s Linking Verb Practice provides a large bank of review questions that can be used as a bellwork exercise or as a homework assignment. Our assessments can be personalized by educators to test student comprehension of hand-selected grammatical topics.

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Summary for Linking Verbs

Linking Verbs connect or” link” nouns or adjectives to the subject of the sentence in order to describe that subject. 

Linking Verbs are always followed by a descriptive noun or adjective, while auxiliary verbs are always followed by another verb. 

Linking Verbs help to show the subject’s state of being, while action verbs show the subject’s action. 

Be sure to check out our grammar course for more linking verb practice. 

You can also access over 3,400 high-quality questions that address nearly every grammatical concept.

Need help preparing for your Grammar exam?

Albert has hundreds of grammar practice questions with detailed explanations to help you master concepts.

It is neither.

I find it useful to think of English verbs as falling into three classes.

The vast majority of English verbs have only a lexical role and no grammatical role. For example, «see» has meaning all by itself, but it is not conjoined with other verbs to alter the tense or voice of another verb. Let’s call a verb that can play only a lexical role an «ordinary verb.»

A small number of verbs such as «will/would» and «may/might,» have only a grammatical role and no lexical role. When conjoined with another verb explicitly or implicitly, they alter somewhat the meaning of the other verb. However, used without reference to another verb, they have no independent meaning. Let’s call a verb that can play only a grammatical role a «modal verb.»

Exactly two English verbs, «be» and «have,» may be ordinary or modal. Each may be used as having meaning all by itself. Or either can be used in conjunction with a verb to alter the tense or voice of that conjoined verb, which carries the main meaning.

The terms «helping verb» and «auxiliary verb» mean the modals plus «be» and «have» if the latter are being used in their grammatical role. That is, sometimes «be» and «have» are helping verbs, and sometimes they are ordinary verbs.

I have a book

is a sentence where «have» is being used as an ordinary verb.

«Linking verbs» are a kind of ordinary verb. When «be» is used as an ordinary verb, it is always a «linking verb.» When «have» is used as an ordinary verb, it is never a «linking verb.»

Linking verb definition: Linking verbs are a type of verb that connect the subject to a predicate adjective or predicate nominative. Linking verbs express a state of being.

Linking verbs “link” a subject to the predicate of the sentence. Linking verbs are not action verbs. Linking verbs express a state of being.

Linking Verb Examples:

• David seems
• That girl is my classmate.

In each of the sentences, the linking verb is underlined. These verbs do not express an action that the subject can do but rather express a state of being.

Linking Verbs List

Here is a list of linking verbs. It is not exhaustive, but these are some of the most common ones.

• to be
• to seem
• to become
• to feel
• to taste
• to appear
• to smell
• to turn
• sound
• to grow

Individual Questions

Is was a linking verb?

Yes, was is always a linking verb.

Is have a linking verb?

Have, itself, is not. But, when used with other verbs like have been, it can function as one.

Is has a linking verb?

Has is similar to have. See above.

Is had a linking verb?

Had is similar to have. See above.

Is will a linking verb?

Will, itself, is not. But, when used with other verbs like will be, it can function as one.

Is can a linking verb?

Can, itself, is not. But, when used with other verbs like can be, it can function as one.

Is is a linking verb?

Yes, is is always a linking verb.

Is are a linking verb?

Yes, are is always a linking verb.

Is were a linking verb?

Yes, were is always a linking verb.

Is became a linking verb?

Yes, became is always a linking verb.

Linking Verbs Re-identify, Describe the Subject

What is the function of a linking verb? Linking verbs serve two purposes. While they explain a state of being, that state of being can be two things.

1. Linking verbs serve to help rename or re-identify the subject.

When linking verbs help to rename or re-identify the subject when they are used with a predicate nominative. A predicate nominative is a noun (or nouns) that follows a linking verb that renames a subject.

• They are my friends.
• He is a baseball player.

In each of these examples, the words after the linking verb are nouns and they rename or re-identify the subject.

1. Linking verbs serve to help describe the subject.

When linking verbs help to describe the subject when they are used with a predicate adjective. A predicate adjective is adjective (or adjectives) that follows a linking verb that renames a subject.

• Sara seems
• We are

In each of these examples, the words after the linking verb are adjectives and they describe the subject.

Linking Verb vs. Action Verb

Action and linking verbs differ in the information that they convey.

A linking verb is a verb that expresses a state of being. The subject does not “do” the verb.

An action verb is a verb that expresses an action that the subject is doing. Explain the difference between these two. Give examples.

Some action verbs can be linking verbs. Their use determines if they are an action verb or a linking verb.

To determine if a verb is used as a linking verb or an action verb, decide if the subject is “doing” the action or if the action is expressing a state of being.

For example:

• Verb: to smell
• Action: He smelled the flowers.
• Linking: He smells bad.

In the “action” sentence, the subject is “doing” the smelling. In the linking sentence, the subject is not doing anything. Rather, “smells” is a linking verb that helps to describe him.

Linking Verbs in Passive Voice, Progressive Tense

The verb to be is used in English to form the passive voice and the progressive tense. Here is how linking verbs interact with both of these constructions in English.

Passive voice

Linking verbs can be used in the passive voice to express a state of being.

• The house was built.
• It was painted.

In each example, the subject is not “doing’ the action. These sentences are written in the passive voice through the linking verb, “to be.” “Built” and “painted” serve as adjectives to link the subject to the predicate adjective.

Progressive tense

Linking verbs can be used in the progressive tenses to express a state of being.

• She is annoying.
• They seem confusing.

In each example, the subject is not “doing’ the action. These sentences are written in the present progressive tense. “Annoying” and “confusing” serve as adjectives to link the subject to the predicate adjective.

How to Find a Linking Verb

If you are ever unsure whether a verb is a linking or action verb, here is a helpful trick.

If you can substitute a form of the verb “be” into your sentence and it still makes sense, you have a linking verb.

For example,

• The cake smells wonderful.

Now, let’s substitute the verb “to be” with the verb “smells.”

• The cake is wonderful.

As you can see, the sentence still makes perfect sense because the cake is not actually “doing” the smelling. “Smells” is acting as a linking verb, linking the subject cake to a descriptor “wonderful.”

Summary: What are Linking Verbs?

Define linking verb: the definition of a linking verb is a verb that connects a subject to the complement; they connect the subject of the verb to additional information about the subject.

To summarize, linking verbs:

• expresses a state of being, not an action
• links the subject to the predicate nominative (noun) or predicate adjective
• helps to rename/re-identify or describe the subject

Contents

• 1 What is a Linking Verb?
• 2 Linking Verbs List
• 3 Individual Questions
• 4 Linking Verbs Re-identify, Describe the Subject
• 5 Linking Verb vs. Action Verb
• 6 Linking Verbs in Passive Voice, Progressive Tense
• 7 How to Find a Linking Verb
• 8 Summary: What are Linking Verbs?

Main Linking Verbs Takeaways:

• Here’s a Comprehensive Linking Verbs .pdf
• Unlike most verbs, a linking verb is not an action word.
• Instead, they connect the subject of a sentence with the rest of the sentence. They join a subject with its predicate noun or adjective.
• There are 12 main and 23 total linking verbs in the English language.
• These are always linking verbs: to seem, to become, and any form of the verbto be.

What is a Linking Verb in English Grammar?

According to traditional English grammar guides, a linking verb describes the subject by connecting it with the rest of a sentence. What’s more, they can be a single word or a group of words. Unlike other verbs, this type of verb does not convey action. Instead, they describe or identify a subject. Think of them as the glue that holds a sentence together.

There are several verbs that are always linking. These are:

• to seem
• to become
• any form of the verb to be

Here are some examples of linking verbs used in sentences:

What is the Difference Between a Linking Verb and an Action Verb?

Typically, verbs are action words. However, linking verbs don’t express action. Instead of acting, they describe and connect. Specifically, this type of verb describes a state of being. Moreover, it connects the subject of a sentence with the subject complements. Subject complements are predicate nouns or predicate adjectives. “To be,” “to become,” and “to seem” are always linking verbs. Words that can function as a linking or an actionverb include smell, appear, look, and sound.

Linking Verb Definition: a word or expression that joins the subject of a sentence with its predicate.

How Many Linking Verbs are There?

There are 23 total linking verbs in the English language. This total is made up of about eight verbs that are always linking. Examples include become, seem, and any form of the verb to be like am, is, are, was, were, and has been. Additionally, this total includes about 15 more verbs that can also be action or helping verbs.

What are the 23 Linking Verbs?

The 23 linking verbs are:

What is the Most Common Linking Verb?

There are 12 popular linking verbs (is, seems, be, am, becomes, been, are, feels, being, was, appears, were).

But, you can transform some of them into other forms, such ashelping verbs.

What Is the Difference Between a Linking Verb and a Helping Verb?

To start with, both linking verbs and helping verbs are not action verbs. However, there’s a big difference between their functions in a sentence. Linking verbs express a state of being or a condition. They connect the subject to the rest of the sentence. On the other hand, helping verbs or auxiliary verbs help the main action verb in a sentence. Consider the following examples:

Linking verbs used in sentences

Helping verbs used in sentence

Here is a list of common helping verbs. Bold verbs are also linking:

To further complicate things, sometimes “is” can be linking, action verb, or a helping verb depending on the sentence’s context.

In these sentences, “is” describes a state of being. The action referenced here is “to be.”

Download:Here’s a Comprehensive .pdf of Linking Verbs

How Do You Identify a Linking Verb?

Here’s are three quick tricks for identifying a linking verb. First, replace your verb with is or are. If the sentence still makes sense, then your verb is most likely a linking verb. This is because is and are can act as linking verbs, but they are also effective substitutes for others. Similarly, another trick is to replace the verb with an equals sign (=). If the sentence still make sense, the verb is almost certainly a linking verb. The final trick is to decide whether the verb describes a state of being or an action. If the verb describes the subject’s state of being, it’s probably a linking verb. However, if the verb describes an action, it’s probably not.

1. Replace the Verb With Is or Are

In the examples above, you can replace each verb in question with “is” or “are.” The sentences still make sense. Therefore, it’s confirmed that the each verb we replaced islinking.

However, in this example, the meaning of the sentence changes when we substitute the verb in question:

The verb dries is an action verb because itdescribes an action the subject takes and not a state of being.

2. Replace the Verb With =

One of my favorite short-hand tactics for taking notes in History class. Replacing the verb in question with an equal sign can also help you determine what kind of verb a word is.

How does Shayla feel? She’s annoyed, and we understand that after reading each example.

3. You Decide: State of Being or Action?

Action verbs express something a person or thing does. Linking verbs do not convey action. However, some are also action verbs.

The example above describes the subject, Daria. What’s more, the word smells connects Daria to the rest of the sentence. The linking category of verbs describes the subject and connects it to the rest of the sentence. Therefore, smells is linking here.

However, this example describes an action that the subject of the sentence took. In other words, this example describes something that Daria did.

What did Daria do? She smelled (the cake. We know you’re fresh as a daisy, Daria).

Therefore, smells is an action verb here.

Linking, Helping, Action, or All of the Above? Set a new High Quiz Score

Read More: First, Second, and Third Person: Points of View in Writing

A verb shows the power of action, and it also can connect ideas. And these verbs are called «Linking Verbs«, and if we want to call it vastly then we consider them as «a state of being verbs«.

To know more about linking verbs, we need to talk about action verbs. These verbs express some physical or mental action that a person, animal, object or even nature can do. Action verbs are words like drink dance, eat and swim. Action verbs are different from linking verbs, which we can think of as «states of being» verbs.

All forms of be verbs are linking verbs. For example: are, am, is, were, was etc. Besides, verbs that have to do with the five senses are linking verbs: feel, look, smell, sound and taste.

So we come to the point that linking verb is not an action verb. It tells about what the subject is not what it’s doing. For example: Sneha’s cat is tired, here shows the condition of Sneha’s cat, not what it’s doing. So here “is” is working as a linking verb.

Examples of linking verbs in sentences:

There are so many linking verbs. It depends on how we do the counting, but there are about a dozen and a half common linking verbs.

• The tomato smells rotten.
• The professor is absolutely sure.
• My brother gets mad when he’s hungry.
• Lean was tired until the caffeine kicked in.
• The company stays true to its founding principles.

The underlined words are linking verbs. They’re all examples of states of being. In fact, we could replace the verbs smell, gets and stays with the verb «is» and the meaning would remain the same.

• The tomato is rotten.
• My brother is mad when he’s hungry.
• The company is true to its founding principles.

Of course, there’s certainly a shade in meaning when we say that a tomato smells rotten instead of that it is rotten, but we get the idea.

But sometimes they’re not expressing themselves as linking verbs. When they’re transitive verbs, meaning that they take an object. Let’s consider the following examples:

• You should stop and smell the roses.
• Get me a roast beef sandwich, please.
• The judge stayed the execution.

In each case, the verb smell, get, and stay have a direct object (roses, sandwich and execution, respectively). There’s no state of being involved.

List of linking verbs:

We tried to bring up most of the linking verbs into this very list.

Forms of be:

Is	Can be	May be
Are	Could be	Might be
Am	Will be	Must be
Was	Would be	Has been
Were	Shall be	Have been
	Should be	Had been

The “Five Sense” verbs:

Feel: This sweater feels itchy.

Look: The sculpture looks strange.

Smell: The dinner smells wonderful.

Sound: That doorbell sounds broken.

Taste: This soup tastes delicious.

The “States of Being” verbs:

Act                              Grow                           Stay

Appear                        Prove                           Turn

Become                       Remain

Get                              Some

Now we need to know about the differences between linking and helping verbs to have a constructive idea of linking verb.

A linking verb doesn’t always act like a linking verb. Well, that’s because a word like “is” can also play an auxiliary or helping role in a sentence.

For example, in the sentence, Malcom is drawing a picture, the word “is” isn’t a linking verb. It’s a helping verb. It’s there to “help” the main verb in the sentence (drawing).

So, how do we tell whether a word on our list of linking verbs above is playing the part in a given sentence?

If it’s followed by a predicate adjective or predicate noun, then it’s a linking verb. But if it’s next to an “-ing” verb, then it’s a helping verb.

For example:

• My friends are dancing at Stella’s tonight.

Here, “-are” is a helping verb because the –ing verb follows it.

• The girls are happy because they’re eating all together.

Here “-are” is a linking verb because a predicate adjective follows it.

You’ve probably heard of linking words but have you heard of linking verbs? Linking verbs are an integral part of English grammar and it’s highly likely you know and use at least some of them already. Whether you’re learning English or you’re a native speaker who’s curious about your own language, linking verbs deserve your attention. Let’s learn the definition of a linking verb and see some examples of how they’re used in sentences. 

• What is a linking verb?
• Be
• States of being verbs
• Senses verbs
• Linking verbs vs. action verbs

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What is a linking verb?

A linking verb connects the subject of a sentence with more information about it. Linking verbs can be followed by nouns, pronouns or adjectives. There are three verbs that are always linking verbs: be, become and seem. But there are many more that can be linking verbs, depending on the context. Here’s a list of 19 of the most common linking verbs. 

1. be 
2. became 
3. seem 
4. stay 
5. remain 
6. grow 
7. act 
8. go
9. turn 
10. prove 
11. get 
12. fall 
13. feel 
14. look 
15. taste 
16. sound 
17. smell 
18. appear 
19. touch

Not all of these verbs are linking verbs all the time. To really understand them, you need to see some examples. 

Be

The first example of a linking verb is be. This is often the first verb you learn in English so from the moment you say, “I am happy”, you’re using a linking verb. All forms of be are linking verbs, from am to was, had been to might be. 

• I am happy. 

• Kate is a pilot. 

• Those chairs must be uncomfortable.

• Helen will be angry when she sees this mess. 

• My dog can be very protective. 

In all of these sentences, be tells us more information about what the subject is. It is not an action verb because it doesn’t tell us what the subject is doing.

Let’s look at the first two examples a little more closely: 

“I am happy.”

Happy is an adjective, as you probably know, but in this sentence, it is called a predicate adjective because it follows a linking verb.

“Kate is a pilot.” 

Pilot is a noun that tells us more information about what the subject, Kate, is, so it is a predicate noun. 

If you see a noun after an action verb, for example, I walk home or I eat cookies, it is not a predicate noun. It’s just a plain old noun. 

State of being verbs

There are many other verbs that tell us more information about what the subject is. Let’s take a look at some examples of these linking verbs in sentences.

• He became frustrated with the difficult math problem. 

• Chris seems nice. 

• The children stayed quiet while they watched the movie.

• Everyone remained calm while we evacuated the building.  

• Ben grew restless while he was waiting for the concert to start. 

• Alison has always acted tough but I know she’s quite sensitive really. 

• You went green and I was sure you were going to throw up. 

• The weather can turn cold very quickly here. 

• The issue had proved too tricky to solve. 

• I got so hungry that I had to order room service.                   

• My kids will always fall asleep quickly after we’ve been to the beach. 

Senses verbs

Some other very common linking verbs are what we call the sense verbs: feel, look, taste, sound, smell, touch and appear.

• This blanket feels very soft.

• The room looks so welcoming!

• The eggs tasted a bit off. 

• Your vacation sounds interesting.

• These flowers smell lovely. 

• Maggie appears standoffish at first but she’s very warm when you get to know her.

• His stories about his difficult childhood touched my heart. 

Linking verbs vs. action verbs

You can replace the states of being or senses verbs with a form of be and the meaning will stay the same or be very similar. This is how you know that you have a linking verb.

• The children were quiet while they watched the movie.

• This blanket is very soft. 

• These flowers are lovely (not exactly the same meaning as smell, but it’s unlikely you’d say that flowers that smelled like a wet dog were ‘lovely’). 

As we said, many of these verbs can also be used as action verbs, for example:  

• Ruth tasted the stew. 

• The plant grew 10 cm in a week.

You can tell that taste and grow are not acting as linking verbs in these sentences because you can’t replace them with be. Ruth is the stew sounds like there’s a possible cannibal on the loose who cooked poor old Ruth.

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Using linking verbs

It’s very likely you already use quite a lot of these verbs, but it’s useful to understand the grammar more deeply so you can be sure you’re using them correctly in the future. It might seem complicated at first, but with a little practice, you’ll feel confident in your abilities. 

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Laura is a freelance writer and was an ESL teacher for eight years. She was born in the UK and has lived in Australia and Poland, where she writes blogs for Lingoda about everything from grammar to dating English speakers. She’s definitely better at the first one. She loves travelling and that’s the other major topic that she writes on. Laura likes pilates and cycling, but when she’s feeling lazy she can be found curled up watching Netflix. She’s currently learning Polish, and her battle with that mystifying language has given her huge empathy for anyone struggling to learn English. Find out more about her work in her portfolio.