Linking Verbs
Table of Contents
Exercises
Explanation
Common Linking Verbs
|
Verb |
Example |
|
be (am / is / are / was / were) |
The sky is blue. |
|
seem |
He seems confident. |
|
appear |
She appears calm today. |
|
look |
You look serious this morning. |
|
feel |
I feel sleepy. |
|
sound |
Your idea sounds interesting. |
|
smell |
The flowers smell sweet. |
|
taste |
This juice tastes sour. |
|
become |
It became quiet in the room. |
Examples in Sentences
-
Daniel is a kind person.
-
The soup tastes delicious.
-
She looks relaxed after her holiday.
-
The children are excited about the trip.
-
My hands feel cold in winter.
-
The evening became very peaceful.
-
His voice sounds funny when he laughs.
These sentences describe the subject — they do not show action.
Linking Verbs vs. Action Verbs
Some verbs can work as linking verbs or action verbs, depending on meaning.
|
Linking Verb (describes) |
Action Verb (shows activity) |
|
You look comfortable. |
You look at the sky. |
|
The tea smells nice. |
She smells the flowers. |
|
I feel nervous. |
I feel the fabric. |
Quick Test
If you can replace the verb with am, is, or are and the sentence still makes sense,
it is probably a linking verb.
Example:
She looks happy.
She is happy. (linking verb)
He looks at the map.
He is at the map. (action verb)
Remember
-
Linking verbs describe a condition or state
-
They connect the subject to information
-
They do not show physical action
Knowing linking verbs helps you describe people, feelings, and situations more clearly.
