Is the word is a linking verb or an action verb

Moving Descriptors: Linking Verbs, Action Verbs, and Helping Verbs

You may already know a bit about the importance of action and linking words. After all, you can’t have complete sentences without including them at least once. But do you know there are three main categories? What about resume action verbs? The main forms include linking verbs, action verbs, and helping verbs. Curious to know the difference between these three types? Let’s look at definitions and answer “what are linking verbs”?, “what is an action verb”?, “what is a helping verb”? and look at further examples of linking verbs and action words to help you out.

What is an Action Verb?

In every sentence you have two main parts. First, there’s a subject. This is usually a noun or pronoun. Second, you have an action or state of being word. This word describes information about the subject.

When the word describing the subject is an action verb, the reader or listener understands what action the subject takes. It’s important to learn about action verbs because these words convey a variety of different actions that are both mental and physical. By increasing the number of action verbs you use in conversation, you can accurately describe to listeners what a subject is doing. That’s what a list of action verbs are good for, too. Try to see if you can create one as you go.

A few action verb examples include walk, skip, and jog. Although the actions aren’t much different (as the words all describe motion) each one forms a different image in your mind. It’s these subtle changes that make language more exciting! That’s why it’s so important to memorize a list of action verbs.

A mental action verb looks like think, discover, and plan amongst others. No action verb definition is complete without understanding two types of an action verb. In fact, the next section will explain more.

What is an Action Verb?: Defining the Transitive

A transitive action verb definition describes an action taken. However, this type of verb also affects a direct object. The direct object can be another noun or pronoun. Additionally, this type of action verb can even affect a phrase or clause. Let’s review some transitive action verb examples and compile a list of action verbs:

• Fred’s going to buy a comic book.

Without knowing the direct object (in this case a comic book) you wouldn’t understand what Fred is going to buy. That’s what makes the word buy transitive. See if you can identify the direct object in the next two action verb examples.

• Stacy is washing her dirty dishes.

Stacy (the subject) is washing (the verb) her dirty dishes (the direct object.)

• Can you check whether the front door is locked?

You (the subject) should check (the verb) the front door (the direct object) to determine if it’s locked.

Did you accurately locate the subject, direct object, and action verb? Still asking what is an action verb or need help creating a list of action verbs? There’s still more information below. If you need more help with the transitive form, click site.

What is an Action Verb?: Defining the Intransitive

Whereas a transitive word requires a direct object, an intransitive word does not. That’s because these action verbs describe what the subject of a sentence does to itself. Thus, it does not act upon a direct object. Here are some intransitive action verb examples:

• I can’t stop crying.

This action only impacts the subject, who cries continuously.

• Stacy always arrives to work ten minutes late.

The action verb arrives is followed by the location work. In this case, work is a preposition of place and not a direct object. You can also say, “Stacy always arrives ten minutes late,” and the sentence would still retain its meaning.

An Action Verb Definition

Considering that there are two ways to describe action verbs, a good action verb definition describes what a subject does involving physical and mental action verbs. These words can even explain the impact the action has on the subject itself, or the impact it has on a direct object. The other is called resume action verbs, but we will get to those in the next section.

List of Action Verbs

Here’s a list of action verbs, including resume action verbs. Resume action verbs help describe previous work experience and show off your accomplishments without using the same words repeatedly.

Common Action Verb Examples

Arrive	Ask	Bake
Build	Buy	Cry
Dance	Dream	Drink
Eat	Go	Help
Kick	Laugh	Listen
Move	Open	Play
Read	Run	Walk

Resume Action Verbs

Achieved	Built	Delivered
Designed	Founded	Hired
Improved	Increased	Integrated
Maximized	Organized	Overhauled
Oversaw	Pioneered	Planned
Reduced	Simplified	Streamlined
Supervised	Transformed

See if you can form in your own action verb definition. Now that you’ve seen a list of action verbs and resume action verbs, why not take some time to learn about MLA format and APA format? Once you’re done, let’s move on to discussing the linking verb.

What is a Linking Verb?

To be, to feel, and to become are linking verbs examples. But what are linking verbs specifically? Before you read a linking verb definition, look at this useful reference on linking verbs and check out the examples of linking verbs they provide.

What is a linking verb? A linking verb connects a subject to the words that describe what the subject is. Linking words, unlike action verbs, do not describe actions. Instead, a linking verb definition describes a state of being.

Examples of Linking Verbs

Examples of linking verbs include: to be, to become, and to seem. These three examples are always linking verbs. In addition, you have a linking verb: to appear, to feel, to look, to smell, to sound, and to taste. These words act as either action or linking verbs, depending on whether they express an action or not. Here are some linking verb examples.

• Pete is my favorite dog.
• That car was incredibly fast.
• I am happy that I passed my math exam!
• The house smells like the ocean breeze.
• Nancy feels a bit sick today.

Although linking verbs such as, smells and feels, can describe actions in the above examples, they help connect the subject to the predicate. They aren’t used in these examples of linking verbs to express any action but instead describes a state of being. Sometimes an action word can be considered both an action or a linking verb. Linking verb examples include remain, prove, and grow but depending on the context in which the word is used can also be defined as action words.

Add this to your linking verb definition and you are one step ahead of the game in knowing linking verbs. Answering what is a linking verb and continuing reading will help you further your understanding.

What are linking verbs? Use these examples of linking verbs when someone asks what is a linking verb? You’ll be able to write up your own linking verb definition in no time and create personalized linking verb examples. Quick tip: Is your next academic paper due soon? Try out the paper checker from Citation Machine Plus. In addition, Citation Machine Plus also comes with tools for creating citations in MLA format and more citation styles.

What is a Helping Verb?: The Auxiliary Form

In some sentences you have multiple actions or linking verbs. One action or linking verb is often more important in the sentence than the other. The second action or linking verb simply provides additional meaning and assists the main word. Turns out a helping action assists with answering what are linking verbs and linking verb examples.

So, what is a helping verb exactly? Well, a  helping word adds both emphasis to your sentences and describes the possibility of something happening. There are two types of helping verbs: auxiliary and modal.

Auxiliary words include the tenses of to be, to have, and to do. If you find a sentence with multiple action or being words, such as to be, to have, or to do, then you know these words are in their auxiliary form. Here are some helping verb example sentences that include an auxiliary:

• Jacob is running another marathon this weekend.
• Her father has not made dinner for us yet.
• I am reading my favorite book right now.

What is a Helping Verb?: The Modal Form

The second type of helping verb is known as a modal. Modals include the words: can, could, might, may, should, shall, will, would, must, and ought to. You can use a modal helping verb to discuss possibility and obligation. Here is a modal helping verb example:

• May I use your bathroom please?

More than likely you can, but there’s a chance that whoever you’re asking will not let you use the bathroom.

• You must make this basket to win the game!

You might need to, but there’s a chance that you miss the basket and lose the game. 

• Could Steve give me a hand with the groceries?

Helping words can also be used in the past perfect, present perfect and future perfect tenses. Look at these examples of a helping word at work:

• He will finish doing his chores before playing outside.
• Lily has delivered the packages to the post office.
• My uncle has a lot of board games to pass the time with.  

As you can see the perfect tenses are italicized whereas the helping verbs are bolded. In this case, the tenses takes the form of to be and to have as the helping verb in the sentence indicating points in time when the verb was or will be completed. The bolded word is identified as the main verb.

One more thing before jotting down what is a helping verb; adverbs that appear in between action words do not count as helping words. For example words like not, always, never, often and sometimes are just some of the few. Think you’re an expert now? Try creating your own bullet points or test yourself on what is a helping verb. Mastery over helping verbs doesn’t come overnight and will truly help you define what is a linking verb and a linking verb definition. 

Now you know all about the types of action, linking, and helping verbs and their many forms! Use them to accurately describe who you are and the actions you’ll take in your writing and speech. See if you can answer the following and practice resume action verbs:

• In your own words, what is a helping verb and can it help define what is a linking verb?
• What are linking verbs?
• Examples of linking verbs that can be action verbs?
• What are your own linking verb examples?
• Your own action verb examples?
• What is an action verb?
• What are some good resume action verbs?
• What are the differences between a helping verb, action verb, and a linking verb?

Action Verbs

An action verb describes an action, such as:

• Break
• Cry
• Eat
• Jump
• Kick
• Run
• Smile
• Think

The sentence pattern will be:

SUBJECT → ACTION VERB → THE REST OF THE SENTENCE

(noun, pronoun, or noun phrase) → (verb) → (adjective, adverb, noun, prepositional phrase, etc.)

Examples of action verbs in sentences:

Greg is kicking the ball now.

The action verb is Kicking. It describes what Greg is doing.

The wind blows constantly in Chicago.

The action verb is Blows. It describes what the wind does.

He accepted my apology.

The action verb is Accepted. It describes what he did.

Linking Verbs

A linking verb links (connects) the subject of the sentence to information about that subject. Linking verbs do not describe action.

The sentence structure will be:

SUBJECT → LINKING VERB → INFORMATION ABOUT THE SUBJECT

(noun, pronoun, or noun phrase) → (verb) → (adjective, noun, or complement)

Some verbs are always linking verbs because they never describe an action. Others can be linking verbs in some sentences and action verbs in different sentences. (See below for examples.)

The following are always linking verbs:

• To be: (is, am, are, was, were, has been, have been, had been, is being, are being, was being, will have been, etc.)
• To become: (become, becomes, became, has become, have become, had become, will become, will have become, etc.)
• To seem: (seemed, seeming, seems, has seemed, have seemed, had seemed, is seeming, are seeming, was seeming, were seeming, will seem)

Here are some examples of linking verbs that are ALWAYS linking verbs in sentences:

The ball is red.

” Is” links the subject “ball” to information about that subject (that it is red).

The children are smart.

“Are” connects the subject “children” to information about that subject (that they are smart).

The child will be tall five years from now.

“Will be” links “child” to the information that she will be “tall five years from now.”

The cat seems fine.

“Seems” links “cat” with information about the cat (that it is fine).

The dog became thin after his surgery.

“Became” links “dog” with information about it (that he became thin).

Words that can be action verbs and linking verbs

There are verbs that, in some sentences, are linking verbs but, in other sentences, are action verbs. These include:

• Appear
• Feel
• Grow
• Look
• Prove
• Remain
• Smell
• Sound
• Taste

One way to determine whether the verb is functioning as an action verb or a linking verb is to substitute the word “Is” for the verb in question. If the sentence still makes sense, then it is probably a linking verb. If the sentence would not make sense with the word “Is,” then it is probably serving as an action verb.

Examples

Appear

Jane appeared uninjured after the accident.

You could substitute the word “is” for the word Appeared, and the sentence would still make sense: “Jane is uninjured after the accident.” This lets you know that Appeared is a linking verb here.

Before I could leave, Jane appeared.

In this sentence, Appeared is not linking anything. It is telling the action that Jane did. She appeared, or showed up.

Smells

The cake smells good!

This sentence describes the cake. Smells is a linking verb in this sentence. It connects the subject “cake” with information about that subject (that it smells good).

Ellen smells the cake.

The word Smells is not linking anything. If you replaced Smells with “Is,” the sentence would not make sense. That means Smells must be an action verb in this sentence. Ellen performed the action of smelling the cake.

Grew

The woman grew silent.

This sentence may seem confusing. Remember that Grow has more than one meaning! In this sentence, Grew means became. The woman became silent.

The gardener grew some flowers.

The word Grew is not linking two things together here. If you tried to replace Grew with “Is,” the sentence would not make sense. This means that Grew must be an action verb. The gardener performed the action of growing some flowers.

Verbs are words that are used to describe an action, state or an occurrence. Action verbs and linking verbs are two types of verbs that describe actions and states, respectively. The main difference between action and linking verbs is that action verbs express an action whereas linking verbs express a state.

What are Action Verbs

An action verb is a word that expresses an action. It can indicate activity, process, momentary action or a physical condition. Action verbs specifically refer to the action performed by the subject of a sentence. Action verbs are also known as dynamic verbs.

Action verbs indicate what a person, animal or an object can do. It is important to note that action verbs contain both physical and mental actions. Run, eat, think, walk, giggle, bark, scratch, push, kill, sleep and type are some examples of action verbs.

He drank some salty water.

He ran up and down the stairs.

Seeing the stranger, the dog barked loudly.

This food processor prepares food within 10 minutes.

Matilda woke up early in the morning and got ready to go to school.

What are Linking Verbs

Linking verbs are verbs that express a state. Linking verbs link the subject of the sentence to a word or phrase in the predicate. Linking verbs help to identify or describe the subject further.

To be, to become and to seem are three verbs that always act as linking verbs. Other verbs such as feel, remain, look, taste, smell, sound, appear, turn can act as both linking verbs and action verbs, depending on the context.

She is the mother of this baby.

The baby’s skin feels so soft and smooth.

This cream tastes heavenly.

He remained upset and moody, even after their repeated attempts to cheer him up.

Your voice sounds strange, are you coming down with something?

The word, phrase or the clause that follows the linking verb is called the subject complement. Therefore, linking verb can be also defined as a verb that links the subject and the subject complement. It is also important to note that a linking verb cannot exist without a complement. That is to say, linking verb has to be followed by a complement in order to form a meaningful sentence.

This ice-cream tastes…

Difference Between Action and Linking Verbs

Definition

Action verb is a verb that indicates an action.

Linking verb is a verb that links the subject to its complement.

Function

Action Verbs express an action.

Linking Verbs express a state.

Followed by

Action Verbs are followed by objects.

Linking Verbs are followed by subject complements.

Dependency

Action Verbs can exist without an object.

Linking Verbs cannot exist with a subject complement.

Subject

Action Verbs indicate the action being performed by the subject.

Linking Verbs help to identify or describe the subject.

Verbs are words used to describe an action, occurrence, or state of being. They form the main part of the predicate of a sentence. Verbs are also the drivers of written and spoken English, since they animate the conversation or article.

There are three types of verbs; action, linking and helping. Most of the verbs you will use in conversation or writing will be action verbs or linking verbs. The different types of verbs have varying degrees of impact; it is important to choose the correct verb and type of verb to suit the particular situation such as business English.

Action verbs

An action verb tells what the subject of our sentence is doing. Action verbs can be used to express physical or mental actions.

Action verbs have a power that is not found in other word types. Action verbs have impact and provide instant information. They help the reader picture the subject engaged in the activity in a clear, precise manner. Additionally, action verbs aid the flow of an article or talk eliminating the need for throwaway transitional words such as “also.”

There are thousands of action verbs. Here are a few examples:

Accumulate	Run	Merge	Organize
Jumped	Divide	Officiate	Allocate
Research	File	Arrange	Spoke
Assemble	Place	Plan	Act
Enforce	Enlist	Command	Thought
Observed	Built	Closed	Kept

There are two types of action verbs; transitive and intransitive.

Transitive verbs

Transitive verbs always have a noun that receives the action of the verb. This is called the direct object. Some examples of transitive verbs are:

• Malcom broke the window.
• Becky gave Sandy a present.
• The dog wolfed down his dinner.

In our examples the object receiving the action are the window, which was broken, the present, which was given, and the dinner which was eaten. The final example shows show action verbs are able to convey a clear picture of an activity and enhance the sentence.

Intransitive verbs

Intransitive verbs do not have a direct or direct object. For example, Jack walked slowly to school. No object receives the action. We have used an adverb, slowly, to modify the verb.

Because action verbs are so powerful, you definitely want to use action verbs in your resume and CV.

As we stated earlier, action verbs help the reader picture you in the role you are applying for. They provide your resume with impact and create strong impression. There are many types of professions, which have a number of action verbs that are common within the particular business section. Spending some time researching industry action verbs for the industry you are interested in can add more power to your resume.

Most business consultants state that the average hiring manager spends only a few seconds with each resume; typically the first look is basically a quick scan. Action verbs have a tendency to catch the reader’s eye, especially when industry specific words are used. This can lead to the employer spending more time with the resume.

Many companies require applicants to submit their CV and resumes through an online portal. Many of the resumes submitted are scanned by the computer which is programmed to look for and flag resumes containing specific keywords, phrases, and action verbs. Often the resume is scored by the computer, prior to being sent to the hiring manager. The use of the correct words can be the difference in how highly the computer rates your submission. Many of the major job search portals use similar search algorithms to select resumes to forward to employees.

One caution about using action verbs in a resume, while you want the resume to have impact you also want it to be accurate. Choose action verbs that accurately describe your skills, roles, and experience.

Linking Verbs

A linking verb is a verb that describes the subject. Linking verbs connect the subject to a predicate noun or a predicate adjective. Linking verbs do not describe any direct physical or mental action of the subject or any action controlled by the subject.

Unlike action verbs, there is only a very short list of words that are true linking verbs. Interestingly these words are always linking verbs.

Here is the list:

Be, am, is, are, was, were, has been, any other form of the verb “be”, become, and seem.

There are other verbs that can be both linking verbs and action verbs. All of the sense verbs; look, smell, touch, appear, sound, taste, and feel can be linking verbs. Other examples of verbs that can be linking verbs and action verbs include turn, remain, prove, and grow.

Some examples of linking verbs:

• She is a lawyer.
• He seems like a nice guy.
• I have become tired of your lateness.

Linking verb and Action Verb Exercise

It is good to do exercises to help you to consolidate what you have learned. Here is a short exercise where you need to identify the type of verb used in the sentence.

1. Janet walked to the mall.
2. Pierce seems to be sad.
3. Isabelle experimented with her paints.
4. The fruit smells spoiled.
5. Joan ran in the marathon.
6. Beethoven was an amazing composer.
7. Jack organized the documents
8. Izzy looks ill.
9. The first cup of coffee every morning tastes great.
10. Penelope skated across the ice rink.
11. Everyone was tired after the bike race.
12. Marcia grew to be very tall.

Answers

1. action verb / 2. linking verb / 3. action verb / 4. linking verb / 5. action verb / 6. linking verb / 7. action verb / 8. linking verb / 9. linking verb / 10. action verb / 11. linking verb / 12. action verb

Article related: Regular and irregular verbs

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.

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