Linking verbs serve as the quiet connective tissue of our language, quietly stitching subjects to the words that describe or identify them. Unlike action verbs that depict physical or mental activity, these verbs establish a relationship, acting as a bridge between the subject and a noun or adjective that renames or modifies it. Grasping this concept is fundamental for anyone seeking to refine their writing, as it clarifies sentence structure and enhances the precision of communication.
The Core Function of Linking Verbs
The primary role of a linking verb is to connect the subject of a sentence to a subject complement. This complement provides essential information about the subject, answering questions like "What is the subject?" or "How is the subject?" Because they do not express action, these verbs cannot transition into the passive voice. Instead, they maintain a static state of being, equating the subject with the complement that follows it to create a complete, meaningful statement.
Common Linking Verbs
While the most famous example is the verb "to be" in all its forms (am, is, are, was, were, been, being), the category extends to other verbs that function as connectors. These include sensory and relational verbs that describe conditions rather than actions. The following list highlights the most frequently used verbs in this category:
To be (is, am, are, was, were)
To seem (seems, seemed, seeming)
To appear (appears, appeared, appearing)
To become (becomes, became, becoming)
To feel (feels, felt, feeling)
To look (looks, looked, looking)
To sound (sounds, sounded, sounding)
To smell (smells, smelled, smelling)
Linking Verbs in Action: Subject Complements
To distinguish these verbs from action verbs, observe the elements that follow them. When the verb is a linker, the noun or adjective that follows is called a subject complement, not a direct object. The complement acts as a mirror, reflecting the state or identity of the subject back to the reader. For example, in the sentence "The soup tastes delicious," the verb "tastes" is a linking verb connecting "soup" to the adjective "delicious," which describes the subject rather than receiving the action.
The subject performs the action.
Contextual Nuances and Tricky Cases
Language is rarely rigid, and linking verbs often blur the lines between action and state. Verbs like "feel," "look," and "taste" can function as either action or linking verbs depending on the sentence structure. If the verb is followed by an adverb, it is likely showing action. Conversely, if it is followed by an adjective describing the subject, it is acting as a linker. For instance, "She looked carefully" (action) versus "She looked exhausted" (linking).
