Linking Verbs

Verbs are words that show actions or states. Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence with more information about the subject. They don’t show action; instead, they describe or rename the subject. Understanding linking verbs helps in effective communication. For example, in “She is happy,” the linking verb “is” connects “she” with “happy.” To use linking verbs well, identify them in sentences and understand their role. Practice questions can improve your skills. In this article you’ll learn about linking verbs, how they work, and practice to become better at using them.

What are linking verbs?

Linking Verb are words that connect the subject of a sentence to the rest of the sentence. They work like bridges between the subject, which can be a person or thing, and the words that describe or rename it. Dictionaries explain linking verbs as words that help join the subject and its complement in a sentence. They’re important for showing the relationship between the subject and the words that come after it.

Definition of a Linking Verb

According to the Oxford Learners’ Dictionary, a linking verb is “a verb such as be or become that connects a subject with the adjective or noun (called the complement) that describes it.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a linking verb as “an intransitive verb that connects a subject with a word or words in the predicate.” The words ‘look’ in ‘you appear tired’ and ‘are’ in’ my favourite fruits are apples and oranges’ are linking verbs.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a linking verb is “a verb that connects the qualities of an object or person to the same object or person.”

How to use linking verbs?

Linking verbs help connect parts of a sentence or add more details about the subject. They show a relationship or condition of the subject without indicating an action. Linking verbs are usually placed right next to the subject.

Here are some key points through which you will understand it better:

• Connecting Parts: Linking verbs link different parts of a sentence together.
• Adding Details: They help to give more information about the subject, like describing it with an adjective or adding a complement.
• Showing Relationships: Linking verbs indicate an existing relationship or condition of the subject in the sentence.
• No Action: Unlike action verbs, linking verbs don’t show any action happening.
• Position: Linking verbs are typically placed immediately next to the subject in a sentence.

In everyday language, linking verbs are like bridges in sentences, connecting the subject to its description or condition. They’re essential for making clear connections between different parts of what you’re saying.

Also Check
Main Verb	Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
Regular Verbs	Irregular Verbs
Finite Verbs	Non Finite Verbs
Verb	Stative Verbs
Action Verbs	Verb Form
Helping Verb	Auxiliary Verbs

Rules for linking verbs

Here are rules for linking verbs:

1. Avoid using adverbs as the describing words after linking verbs: Instead of using words that describe how something is done (adverbs), we should use words that describe what something is like (adjectives) when following linking verbs.

For example:

• Instead of saying “The runner is quick,” say “The runner is quick.”
• But it’s okay to use adverbs when they describe the linking verb itself, not the subject. Like in “He gradually became kinder and more compassionate.”

2. Make sure the linking verb agrees with the subject: This means that the linking verb should match the subject in number (singular or plural), even if the word describing the subject is different.

For example:

• Say “The weirdest animal is the giraffe” instead of “The weirdest animal is giraffes.”
• Or you can say “Giraffes are the weirdest animals.”

Examples of Linking Verbs

Here are few example for linking verbs:

• ‘To be’ Verbs: Words like “am,” “is,” “are,” “was,” and “were” show what something is or was. For example, “She is happy,” or “They were excited.”
• ‘To seem’ Verbs: Words like “seems,” “seemed,” and “seeming” describe how something appears. Like, “He seems tired,” or “It seemed strange.”
• ‘To become’ Verbs: Words like “become,” “became,” and “becoming” show a change or transformation. For instance, “She became a doctor,” or “It’s becoming dark.”
• Verbs for Senses: Words related to our senses like “look,” “sound,” “smell,” “taste,” and “feel” can also show a state of being. For example, “The soup tastes delicious,” or “It smells like flowers.”
• Verbs for Growth or Change: Words that show growth, inactivity, or change like “grow,” “remain,” “turn,” or “stay” can also link to a state of being. Such as, “The plants grew tall,” or “The weather stayed warm.”

Let’s take a look at some examples of the various forms of these three verbs that can function as linking verbs.

Check Your Understanding of Linking Verbs

Here are few fill in the blanks to understand easily with the relevant linking verbs in the following sentences:

1. I _____ the class teacher of VIII A.
2. Joy and Jerry _________ exhausted after cleaning every loft in the office.
3. This book on women and society _______ to be interesting.
4. The Apple _______ cut.
5. The girl ______ happy.
6. Your sister ________ really cool.
7. Beth _____ the Principal of St Luke’s Anglo Indian Boys High School.
8. The teacher ________ present today.
9. My father ________ tired after the long journey.
10. Jenny ______ a great man.

Find if you have filled in the blanks with the right linking verb.

1. I am the class teacher of VIII A.
2. Joy and Jerry were exhausted after cleaning every loft in the office.
3. This book on women and society seems to be interesting.
4. The Apple was cut.
5. The girl looks happy.
6. Your sister sounds really cool.
7. Beth is the Principal of St Luke’s Anglo Indian Boys High School.
8. The teacher was present today.
9. My father was tired after the long journey.
10. Jenny seems to be a great man.

Linking Verbs FAQs

What are finite verbs?

Finite verbs are the action words in sentences that show what the subject is doing. They indicate tense, person, number, and sometimes mood or aspect.

How do I use finite verbs in sentences?

To use finite verbs correctly, ensure there's a subject for every sentence, match the verb with the subject in terms of singular or plural form, and make sure the verb reflects the correct tense and situation.

Why are finite verbs important?

Finite verbs are crucial because they connect subjects with actions, indicate when something happens (past, present, or future), and help in forming questions and negative statements for effective communication.

Can you provide examples of finite verbs?

Sure! Examples of finite verbs include words like opens, eats, run, and draw, which show actions happening at different times and involve different subjects.

How can I identify finite verbs in a sentence?

Look for the main action or the word that shows what the subject is doing. It's usually a word that changes based on tense, person, and number.