What is a Linking Verb?
A verb that plays the role of connecting the subject with the word or words in the complement used for providing more information about the subject is called a linking verb. Linking verbs never convey any sort of action. Rather, they help describe or provide more information about the subject.
So, to be a linking verb, a verb should have two basic features. They are:
- Feature of creating a link or relation between the subject and its complement
- The complement should provide more information about the subject used in the sentence.
Example:
- Mrs. Vanessa is a scholarly teacher. [In this sentence, ‘is’ is a linking verb, for it helps describe Mrs. Vanessa (subject) by the complement used after the verb ‘is’.]
- Monica feels sad. [In this sentence, ‘feels’ is a linking verb, for it helps describe Monica (subject) by the complement used after the verb ‘feels’.]
- Milk turns sour. [In this sentence, ‘turns’ is a linking verb, for it helps describe Milk (subject) by the complement used after the verb ‘turns’.]
How to identify a Linking Verb?
A linking verb is responsible for creating a link or connection between the words (subject) before it, and the words (complement) after it. The main reason for this connection through a linking verb is to provide information about that subject. This information is given through two different parts of speech or a group of words. They are:
- Noun / noun phrase [A noun phrase is a group of words that functions like a noun.]
- Adjective / adjective phrase [An adjective phrase is a group of words that functions like an adjective.]
That is to say, after a linking verb, only a noun/noun phrase or an adjective/adjective phrase can be used as compliments. If any other parts of speech other than a noun or an adjective, then the verb used in that sentence is not a linking verb.
Tips: Use the appropriate form of ‘be’ verb in place of a verb to judge if that is a linking verb. If that is a linking verb, then the sentence will come out as a meaningful one. If not the sentence won’t carry any meaning.
Example:
- Mark is a doctor. [In this sentence, the complement is a noun phrase.]
- Vanessa seems an angel. [In this sentence, the complement is a noun phrase.]
- The boys are students. [In this sentence, the complement is a noun.]
- Sofia has fallen ill. [In this sentence, the complement is an adjective.]
- You must keep calm. [In this sentence, the complement is an adjective.]
- I am deeply sorry. [In this sentence, the complement is an adjective phrase.]
Linking Verb with Noun Complement:
The function of a noun/noun phrase as a compliment after a linking verb is to describe the subject in a detailed way. The verbs that are used as linking verbs for noun complements are:
be, become, appear, feel, look, prove, remain and turn.
If you ask a question with the word ‘what’ on the verb, you will get a noun/noun phrase as an answer.
Example:
- William is a professor.
- Mark becomes a doctor.
- The conference appeared a success.
- Petra felt a complete fool.
- Flora looks an angel.
- The discussion proved a failure.
- Your plan seems a good one.
- The patriot turned a traitor.
Linking Verb with Adjective Complement:
The function of an adjective/adjective phrase as a compliment after a linking verb is to tell the subject’s condition or quality. The verbs that are used as linking verbs for adjective complements are:
be, become, appear, fall, feel, get, go, grow, keep, look, prove, remain, run, seem, smell, sound, taste, and turn.
Example:
- William is happy.
- Mark became poor.
- Michel appears healthy.
- John has been ill for the last three days.
- The student felt very nervous.
- My friend is getting bald.
- Joseph has gone mad.
- The patient grew restless.
- You all must keep calm.
- His eyes looked pale.
- The problem proved difficult to solve.
- The morale of the soccer players remained high.
- This beautiful place has run dry for the lack of rain.
- William seems unhappy with his test results.
- These flowers smell marvelous.
- No one should sound pessimistic.
- Oranges taste delicious.
- His face turned yellow when he heard the news.
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