Linking verbs
Linking verbs are verbs that connect the subject of a sentence to a word or phrase describing or renaming it, called the subject complement. Unlike action verbs, they show a state of being rather than an action. Common examples include "be", "seem", "become" and sensory verbs like "look" and "feel", as in "She seems tired."
Types of linking verbs
The verb 'be'
The most common linking verb, showing existence or identity in all its forms.
e.g. I am ready., They were happy., He is a doctor.
Verbs of becoming
Show a change of state or the result of a process.
e.g. She became a lawyer., The milk turned sour., He grew anxious.
Verbs of seeming or appearing
Express how something appears to be, without stating a fact of action.
e.g. It seems fine., She appears confident., The plan looks promising.
Sensory linking verbs
Describe a state perceived through the senses rather than an action performed by the subject.
e.g. The soup tastes delicious., That sounds interesting., The blanket feels soft.
Verbs of staying or remaining
Show that a state continues unchanged.
e.g. He remained calm., The door stayed shut., Prices have stayed low.
Rules to remember
- A linking verb must be followed by a subject complement, which is either an adjective or a noun phrase that describes or renames the subject.
- Linking verbs never take a direct object, because they do not show an action being done to something.
- The complement after a linking verb should usually be an adjective, not an adverb, since it describes the subject, not the verb: 'She looks happy' not 'She looks happily'.
- Some verbs, like 'look', 'feel', 'taste' and 'grow', can act as linking verbs or action verbs depending on meaning; check whether the following word describes the subject or an action.
- Subject and complement must agree in number and, where relevant, in person: 'The results are conclusive.'
Examples in sentences
| Example | How it works |
|---|---|
| The weather is cold today. | 'Is' links the subject 'weather' to the adjective 'cold'. |
| She became the manager last year. | 'Became' links 'she' to the noun phrase 'the manager', showing a change of state. |
| This cake tastes amazing. | 'Tastes' is a sensory linking verb connecting 'cake' to the adjective 'amazing'. |
| He seems worried about the exam. | 'Seems' links the subject to the adjective 'worried', describing his state, not an action. |
| The children stayed quiet during the film. | 'Stayed' shows a continuing state, linking 'children' to 'quiet'. |
| Your plan sounds reasonable. | 'Sounds' functions as a linking verb, connecting 'plan' to the adjective 'reasonable'. |
| The leaves turned brown in autumn. | 'Turned' links the subject to 'brown', showing a change rather than a physical action. |
Common mistakes
Incorrect: She looks happily today.
Correct: She looks happy today.
Incorrect: The soup tastes badly.
Correct: The soup tastes bad.
Incorrect: He feels strongly about the loss.
Correct: He feels bad about the loss.
Why this matters for IELTS
Using linking verbs accurately, especially choosing adjectives rather than adverbs after verbs like 'seem', 'feel' and 'look', shows precise control of grammar that examiners reward under Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Varying your linking verbs beyond simple 'be' statements, for example using 'become', 'remain' or 'appear', also demonstrates a wider vocabulary and more natural, sophisticated sentence structure in both Speaking and Writing tasks.
Frequently asked questions
What is a linking verb in simple terms?
A linking verb connects the subject of a sentence to a word that describes or renames it, such as an adjective or noun, rather than showing an action, for example 'She is tired.'
How can I tell if a verb is linking or an action verb?
Try replacing the verb with a form of 'be'. If the sentence still makes sense, such as 'The soup tastes good' becoming 'The soup is good', the verb is linking; if not, it is an action verb.
Can 'look', 'feel' and 'taste' be action verbs too?
Yes, these verbs can be action verbs when they describe a physical activity, such as 'She felt the fabric' (touching it) versus 'She felt happy' (a state, linking verb).
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