Linking Verbs | Basic Grammar for IELTS PDF Download

Linking Verb – Definition, List and Examples

Linking Verb: You have probably noticed that not all of them function the same way in the many types of English sentences. This is because there are various kinds, such as action verbs describing activities; auxiliary verbs conveying morphological meanings; modal verbs expressing modalities; and linking verbs characterizing the subject.

Linking Verb

Table of Content

• What are Linking Verbs?
• Definition of a Linking Verb
• List of 30 Linking Verbs
• How to Use Linking Verbs?
• Identify a Linking Verb
• Linking Verb vs. an Action Verb
• Examples of Linking Verbs
• Linking verb and Helping Verb
• Linking Verbs Exercise

What are Linking Verbs?

A linking verb connects the subject to a word or sentence in the predicate, known as a subject supplement. Linking verbs act as the bridge that links the subject of a sentence to its complement, providing clarity and meaning to our expressions. The subject supplement gives additional information about the subject by describing a state of being related to the subject. The word or sentence following the linking verb, such as "unhappy" in our example, is termed the subject supplement. When a linking verb is followed by a subject supplement, it is typically an adjective (or an adjective phrase), a word (or a noun phrase), or a pronoun.

Definition of a Linking Verb

A linking verb is a verb that connects the subject of a sentence to a word or phrase that describes or renames the subject. Unlike action verbs, linking verbs do not show actions. Instead, they link or join the subject with more information. Common linking verbs include "is," "am," "are," "was," "were," "become," "seem," "feel," and "appear."

List of 30 Linking Verbs

Linking verbs include verbs like "appear," "become," "feel," "grow," "look," "remain," "seem," "smell," "sound," "stay," "taste," and many others. These verbs do not show action but rather connect the subject to a subject complement.

How to Use Linking Verbs?

Linking verbs are used to connect the subject of a sentence to a subject complement, which further describes or identifies the subject. They help provide more information about the subject and are essential for constructing meaningful sentences.

Identify a Linking Verb

To identify a linking verb in a sentence, look for verbs that do not show action but instead connect the subject to additional information. These verbs often link the subject to a noun, pronoun, or adjective in the predicate.

Linking Verb vs. an Action Verb

Linking verbs differ from action verbs in that they do not show physical or mental action. Instead, they connect the subject to more information about the subject. Action verbs, on the other hand, express actions performed by the subject.

Examples of Linking Verbs

Examples of linking verbs include "is," "am," "are," "feel," "become," "seem," "look," and "sound." These verbs link the subject to a subject complement, providing more information about the subject in the sentence.

Linking verb and Helping Verb

Helping verbs, also known as auxiliary verbs, work together with main verbs to express nuances of meaning, tense, or mood in a sentence. Unlike linking verbs, helping verbs do not connect the subject to a subject complement but assist the main verb in forming verb phrases.

Linking Verbs Exercise

Practicing exercises on linking verbs can help reinforce your understanding of how these verbs work in sentences. By identifying and using linking verbs correctly, you can improve your ability to construct clear and meaningful sentences.

Linking Verbs

A linking verb is utilized when a subject is connected to a word or sentence in the predicate, known as a subject supplement.

Linking verbs act as the bridge connecting the subject of a sentence to its complement, imparting clarity and significance to our expressions.

The noun or sentence following the linking verb is termed the subject supplement, offering additional insights about the subject.

Characteristics of Linking Verbs

• Linking verbs do not denote action but instead describe or identify the subject.
• They can be a single word, a phrase, or a collection of syllables.
• Linking verbs function as the glue that holds different parts of a sentence together.

Examples of Linking Verbs

• The bread smells bad.
• Our company stays honest and true to its employees.

• The bread smells bad.
• Our company stays honest and true to its employees.

List of 30 Linking Verbs

Imagine a chain-link barrier as a way to comprehend the function of connecting verbs better. This image can be very helpful. Hundreds of steel wires are woven together to form a sturdy barricade that either lets something in or stops it from getting out. One of these lines by itself is not able to provide much protection for anything, but when connected to another wire, it transforms into something that is significantly more robust.

In a similar vein, the use of linking verbs to "link" or connect our subjects to certain other words or adjectives that help characterize that subject makes both our subjects and the sentences as a whole more powerful.

Think about the following sentence:

Understanding Linking Verbs

• Linking verbs help provide additional descriptive information about the subject of a sentence.
• They connect the subject to more details, such as physical appearance, emotional state, or actions.
• Without linking verbs, sentences may lack depth and vividness.

Importance of Linking Verbs

• Linking verbs enrich sentences by offering a clearer picture of the subject.
• They enable writers to paint a more detailed and engaging image in the reader's mind.

Example of Linking Verbs in Action

• The young lady walking down the street had blonde hair hidden under a straw bonnet with a broad peak and was overjoyed to discover that her go-to ice cream parlor had just opened its doors for the day.

Importance of Descriptive Language

• Descriptive language adds depth and richness to writing.
• It helps create vivid imagery and engages the reader's senses.
• Readers can better connect with the characters and scenes when descriptive language is utilized effectively.

Identify a Linking Verb

There are several simple ways to recognize a linking verb:

• If you can replace the verb with "is" or "are" and the sentence still makes sense, then the word is likely a linking verb. For example, "Tony looks happy" can be changed to "Tony is happy" without changing the meaning, indicating that "looks" is a linking verb.
• Another method is to use the equals symbol (=) instead of the verb. If the sentence maintains its natural flow, then the word is likely a linking verb. For instance, in the sentence "This song sounds amazing," you can substitute "sounds" with "equals amazing," showing that "sounds" is a linking verb.
• The final step is to determine if the verb describes a state of being. If it does, then it's probably a linking verb. For example, in the sentence "Daisy's scent is delightful," the word "is" links "Daisy's scent" to "delightful," indicating that "is" is a linking verb.

Examples:

• John feels tired. (Incorrect: "John's tired.")
• Gloria seems stressed when she studies. (Incorrect: "Gloria's stresses when she studies.")
• The sky looks cloudy. (Incorrect: "The sky is cloudy.")

Linking Verbs

• Linking verbs, such as "to be," "to become," and "to seem," do not show action but instead connect the subject of a sentence with its subject complement.
• These verbs express a state of being or a condition, establishing a relationship between the subject and its descriptions.

Examples of Linking Verbs

• The teacher is absolutely sure.
• My sister gets mad when she's hungry.
• Dick was tired until the pre-workout kicked in.
• The pie tastes good.
• That game looks interesting.
• We all are really excited about the movie.
• Rick was the best batsman on their team.
• The father is upset with the boys.
• Siya is being extremely rude to me.

Identifying Verbs

• The teacher is absolutely sure.
• My sister gets mad when she's hungry.
• Dick was tired until the pre-workout kicked in.
• The pie tastes good.
• That game looks interesting.
• We all are really excited about the movie.
• Rick was the best batsman on their team.
• The father is upset with the boys.
• Siya is being extremely rude to me.

Examples of Helping Verbs and Linking Verbs

• My parents are performing at Venna's tonight. (Helping verb: are)
• The girls are happy because they're eating altogether. (Linking verb: are)

Identifying Linking Verbs in Sentences

• All the judges were being very rude to Harsh.
• The year 2022 has been amazing for my family and me.
• Jim had been very angry back in those days.
• You will be the father of our baby girl in some time.
• We shall be happy to offer our help to the needy ones.
• July may be angry with you.
• This entire journey might be a success.
• If the doctors didn't arrive on time, he would be dead.

Answers to Linking Verbs:

• Were
• Has been
• Had been
• Will be
• Shall be
• May be
• Might be
• Would be

• Answers-
• 1. Were
• 2. Has been
• 3. Had been
• 4. Will be
• 5. Shall be
• 6. May be
• 7. Might be
• 8. Would be

Verb Forms

• Verb Forms
• Main Verbs
• Action Verbs

Conclusion

Linking verbs play a crucial role in English grammar. They not only help in shortening sentences but also enhance their clarity. Understanding how to use linking verbs correctly can significantly improve your writing skills. Let's explore the importance of linking verbs with some examples.

Importance of Linking Verbs

Linking verbs serve to connect the subject of a sentence to a subject complement, which further describes or identifies the subject. This connection is essential for conveying precise meanings in sentences.

Examples of Linking Verbs

1. "She is a doctor." In this sentence, the linking verb "is" connects the subject "she" to the subject complement "doctor," describing her profession.

2. "The cake smells delicious." Here, the linking verb "smells" connects the subject "cake" to the subject complement "delicious," conveying the sensory perception of the cake.

Enhancing Communication Skills

By mastering the usage of linking verbs, you can enhance your communication skills. These verbs help in structuring sentences effectively, allowing you to express ideas clearly and concisely.

Unlocking the Potential of Language

Embracing the versatility of linking verbs enables you to unlock the boundless potential of language. By understanding how these words function, you can elevate your writing and communication, expressing yourself with precision and clarity.

Linking Verbs- FAQs

Q1. What is a linking verb?

Linking verbs are used to describe states of being rather than actions. In a sentence, when you are describing a state of being, linking verbs are the words to use. Unlike action verbs, which show activity, linking verbs connect the subject to the description of the subject.

Q2. What is the definition of a linking verb?

A linking verb, also known as a connecting verb, does not show action on its own. Instead, it establishes a connection between the subject of the sentence and the overall meaning. Linking verbs are unique because they describe the subject itself, not any action performed by the subject.

Q3. Give some examples of linking verbs.

• This coat looks beautiful on you.
• You look amazing, even without makeup.
• The job seems challenging to solve.
• My dad appears mad at me.
• The cake smells delicious.
• I felt terrible about that ill dog.

Linking verbs are essential in expressing states of being or condition. They help to convey information about how someone or something appears, feels, looks, smells, or seems.

• Q4. Number of Linking Verbs

  The English language encompasses a total of 23 verbs that serve as connecting elements. Out of these, about eight verbs consistently act as linkers. Examples of such verbs include "becoming," "seeming," and all variations of the verb "to be" like "am," "is," "are," "was," "were," and "has been."

• Q5. Linking Verb vs. Helping Verb

  A linking verb is a special type of verb that links the subject to the predicate in a sentence, while a helping verb, on the other hand, supports the main verb in completing the sentence.

• Parts of Speech English SSC/Banking

  • Parts of Speech
  • English
  • SSC/Banking