Linking Verb Guide: How to Use Linking Verbs

A linking verb, or a copula, is a type of verb in the English language that connects a subject with a subject complement. A subject complement is typically a predicate noun, noun phrase, adjective, adjective phrase, or adverb that describes or further identifies the subject noun. Rather than express physical or mental actions as a typical action verb would do (or linking a subject to a direct object) a linking verb or copular verb establishes a relationship between the subject of the sentence and the subject complement that further defines the subject noun.

You can identify a linking verb by looking to see if the word or phrase following the linking verb further defines or is identified with the subject. Here are some common linking verbs and their functions.

1. 1. Verbs describing a state of being: Linking verbs establish a connection between a subject and a subject complement, which further identifies or describes a noun. This is why it is common to use one of the many forms of “to be” as a linking verb like “is,” “was,” “are,” “am,” “were,” “been,” or “being.” The verbs “become” and “seem” are also commonly used as linking verbs.
2. 2. Verbs describing the five senses: Verbs derived from the five senses (“smells,” “tastes,” “sounds,” “feels,” and “looks'' or “appears”) are commonly used as linking verbs. This is because they are useful to link a subject to a descriptor or identifier revealing further information about the subject. “Seems” can also be used as a linking verb to describe the way that a subject shows up in the real world.
3. 3. Verbs describing change or flux: Other common verbs that can be used as linking verbs describe stasis or growth like “grow,” “remain,” “prove,” “turn,” “act,” or “stay.”

The following sentences give examples of how you can use linking verbs in context.

1. 1. “Gina is employee of the month.” In this sentence, the linking verb “is” connects the subject noun “Gina” to her accomplishment of becoming “employee of the month.”
2. 2. “The car looks brand new.” The linking verb in this sentence is “looks” which connects the subject “the car” with the descriptive subject complement “brand new.”
3. 3. “Evelyn sounded hoarse from shouting all day.” In this sentence, the linking verb “sounded” connects the subject “Evelyn” with the descriptor of her voice “hoarse.”
4. 4. “He became taciturn after the performance.” The linking verb in this sentence is “became” which connects the subject “he” with the subject complement “taciturn” which describes his behavior “after the performance,” the prepositional phrase.
5. 5. “They remained friends after college.” In this sentence, the linking verb is “remained” which links the subject “they” and the subject complement “friends” to describe the state of their relationship.

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