Linking Verbs
Verbs that connect subjects to descriptions: be, seem, become, appear
When to Use Linking Verbs
- •Describing states: She is happy. He seems tired.
- •Changes: The weather became cold. She grew impatient.
- •Appearances: You look great. That sounds interesting.
- •Sensory descriptions: The food smells delicious. It tastes sweet.
- •Remaining states: He stayed calm. The door remained open.
How to Form Linking Verbs
Affirmative (+)
Subject + linking verb + adjective/noun
Negative (-)
Subject + linking verb + not + adjective/noun
Question (?)
Linking verb + subject + adjective/noun?
💡 Linking verbs are followed by adjectives (not adverbs) or nouns. They describe the subject, not an action.
Examples of Linking Verbs
✓She looks beautiful.
✗She looks beautifully.
Linking verbs take adjectives, not adverbs.
✓The soup tastes delicious.
✗The soup tastes deliciously.
Taste as a linking verb needs an adjective.
✓He became a doctor.
✗He became doctor.
Linking verbs can also be followed by nouns (with article if needed).
Common Mistakes with Linking Verbs
💡 Practice Tips for Linking Verbs
- • Common linking verbs: be, seem, appear, become, get, grow, turn, remain, stay
- • Sensory linking verbs: look, sound, smell, taste, feel
- • Test: replace with 'be'—if it works, it's a linking verb
- • Linking verb + adjective (describes subject)
- • Action verb + adverb (describes how action is done)
Quick Quiz
Grammar sorted. Now grow your vocabulary.