Linking Verbs in English Grammar: Definition, Examples & Usage

A linking verb is a verb that doesn’t show action. Instead, it connects the subject of a sentence to a word or phrase that gives more information about it, usually a noun or an adjective. These verbs act like bridges between the subject and its description or identity.

In this guide, you’ll learn what linking verbs are, how they work in different sentence structures, and how to use them correctly in your writing.

What Is a Linking Verb?

A linking verb is a verb that connects the subject of a sentence to a word or phrase that describes or identifies it. Instead of showing what the subject does, it shows what the subject is, feels, or seems.

For example:

• The soup smells delicious.
• Carla is a musician.
• The room became quiet.

In each case, the verb links the subject to a subject complement—a word that gives more information about the subject. This complement is often a noun, pronoun, or adjective.

How Linking Verbs Function in English Sentences

Linking verbs do not show what the subject does. Instead, they connect the subject to more information, usually something that describes or identifies it. The focus is not on an action, but on a relationship between the subject and a subject complement.

This structure is common:
Subject + Linking Verb + Complement

• The coffee smells strong.
• Her grandfather is a retired pilot.
• The instructions seem confusing.

In each case, the verb links the subject to a complement—a word or phrase that completes the meaning. These verbs are not followed by direct objects like transitive verbs are. Instead, they describe what the subject is, feels, or becomes in a given moment.

Some verbs change roles depending on how they’re used. For example:

• Linking: The cake tastes sweet.
• Action: She tasted the soup.

In the first sentence, tastes links the subject (cake) to a description (sweet). In the second, tasted shows a physical action.

Common Linking Verbs in English

Some linking verbs are used frequently in everyday English, especially forms of the verb be. Others describe appearance, condition, or change of state.

Most Common Linking Verbs

Here are the most widely used linking verbs:

• be (is, am, are, was, were, been)
• become
• seem

Other Linking Verbs

Some verbs act as linking verbs when they are followed by descriptive words and not direct objects. These include:

• appear
• feel
• grow
• look
• remain
• smell
• sound
• taste
• turn

Examples:

• The plan appears effective.
• That pizza smells amazing.
• He grew silent after the meeting.
• The sky turned orange at sunset.

Many of these verbs can also function as action verbs depending on the sentence. To check whether a verb is linking, replace it with a form of be. If the sentence still makes sense, it’s likely a linking verb.

Linking Verbs vs. Action Verbs

The main difference between linking verbs and action verbs lies in what they express. Action verbs show what the subject does. Linking verbs do not show action—they connect the subject to a word that gives more detail about it.

• Action verb: The dog chased the cat.
• Linking verb: The dog is tired.

In the first sentence, chased describes what the dog did. In the second, is tells us something about the dog’s condition.

Some verbs, like look, taste, and feel, can be used as either action verbs or linking verbs, depending on how they function in the sentence.

• Action: She looked through the window. (physical action)
• Linking: She looked worried. (describes her state)
• Action: He tasted the soup. (performed an action)
• Linking: The soup tasted salty. (describes the soup)

To test if a verb is linking, try replacing it with a form of be.

• The soup tasted salty → The soup was salty (makes sense → linking verb)
• He tasted the soup → He was the soup (doesn’t make sense → action verb)

Linking Verbs vs. Auxiliary Verbs

Linking verbs and auxiliary verbs are both essential parts of English grammar, but they serve very different purposes in a sentence.

A linking verb connects the subject to a word that describes or identifies it. An auxiliary verb (also called a helping verb) is used with a main verb to form verb tenses, questions, negatives, or the passive voice.

Linking Verb Example: The movie was exciting. (was links the movie to the adjective exciting)

Auxiliary Verb Example: The students were watching a documentary. (were helps form the past continuous tense with the main verb watching)

The confusion often happens with the verb be and its forms (am, is, are, was, were), since it can act as either:

• Linking verb: She is a manager.
• Auxiliary verb: She is working late today.

To tell the difference, look at what follows the verb:

• If it links the subject to a noun or adjective → it’s a linking verb.
• If it comes before another verb → it’s an auxiliary verb.

Understanding the role of auxiliary verbs is helpful when working with verb tenses, especially when learning how to form continuous or perfect constructions.

Linking Verbs and Stative Verbs

Linking verbs and stative verbs often appear similar because both describe conditions rather than actions. However, they play different roles in a sentence.

A linking verb connects the subject to a complement. A stative verb describes a state, such as emotion, thought, possession, or perception, and typically doesn’t link the subject to anything.

Linking Verb Example: Her voice sounds calm. (sounds links the subject voice to the adjective calm)

Stative Verb Example: She knows the answer. (knows expresses a mental state—it’s not linking two parts)

Some verbs can function as either, depending on their use:

• Linking: The soup smells great.
• Stative: I smell garlic. (Here, smell refers to perception, not linking.)

Linking verbs are limited in number and typically used to connect. Stative verbs are broader and describe how the subject exists or feels in a fixed state.

Identifying Linking Verbs in a Sentence

To identify a linking verb, look at how it functions in the sentence. If the verb connects the subject to more information, typically a noun, pronoun, or adjective that describes or renames the subject, it’s likely a linking verb.

Here are some reliable ways to test:

Replace the Verb with a Form of “Be”

If the sentence still makes sense, the verb is probably linking.

• Original: The soup smells delicious.
• Test: The soup is delicious. ✅ (Makes sense → linking verb)
• Original: He tasted the soup.
• Test: He is the soup. ❌ (Doesn’t make sense → action verb)

Look for a Subject Complement

Linking verbs are followed by subject complements, not direct objects. These are usually adjectives or nouns describing the subject.

• The teacher is patient. (adjective complement)
• My uncle became a firefighter. (noun complement)

If the word after the verb answers “what is the subject?” or “what is the subject like?”, it’s likely a subject complement, which indicates a linking verb.

Watch for Verbs That Can Change Function

Some verbs act as both linking and action verbs depending on the sentence. Always check the context.

• Linking: The cake tastes sweet.
• Action: She tasted the sauce.

Examples of Linking Verbs in Sentences

Below are examples of linking verbs used with different subjects and complements. These show how linking verbs connect the subject to descriptions or identities without expressing an action.

• The hallway smells fresh after cleaning.
• Jacob became the youngest team leader.
• The results seem accurate.
• This dish tastes unusual but delicious.
• Their performance was impressive.
• The cat looks calmer now.
• Our weekend turned chaotic after the storm hit.
• Her explanation sounds reasonable.
• The room remains quiet despite the noise outside.
• It is she who submitted the final report.

FAQs About Linking Verbs