What are Linking Verbs | List of Examples and Rules
Linking verbs are an important part of verb in English language where the most common verbs are used as linking verbs. Unlike other form of verbs linking verbs do not refer any action but they describe the subjects with more information. So, readers can depend on linking verbs for adding more information about a subject in a sentence. We are here to provide clear concepts of linking verbs with basic information. From the explanation of rules and examples students will understand where and how to use linking verbs within a sentence.
Example
He is a chemical engineer.
She seems nice in her behaviour.
Rules
Linking verbs refer the actions that are merely existing with more accuracy relating to the subject. In simple language, linking verbs explains the states of the subject or its full description like how it looks or what it is. This purpose makes linking verbs different from any other verbs which clearly shows any action done by a subject. Linking verbs are used for defining the subject and adding more details about it in a sentence. For that sensory verbs like appear, smell, sound, look etc. act as linking verbs when they are used to describe a subject. Verbs like seem, be, become are always used as linking verbs, some other verbs rely on particular contexts to be used as linking verbs. The rules of using linking verbs have been explained below:
i) Linking verbs also function as intransitive verb where no direct object is present for the verb.
Ex.
The black dress is pretty.
He is an honest person.
ii) Linking verbs can never be used to refer any action which means these are also type of stative verbs. All linking verbs are stative verbs but not all stative verbs are linking verbs.
Ex.
She seems quite anxious in her behaviour.
The soup looks delicious from its appearance and smell.
iii) For being like stative verbs, linking verbs are less likely to use in continuous tense.
Ex.
The game looks like more fun is used in most cases than the game is looking like more fun.
iv) Like all other verbs linking verbs also follow the rules subject-verb agreement which means singular subject takes singular linking verbs and plural subject takes plural linking verb.
Ex.
They are tired after completing the match.
He is a powerful person to influence others.
v) We should focus more while using adverbs with linking verbs in a sentence. When we use adverbs with linking verbs we have to put the adverbs before verbs to complete the meaning.
Ex.
The boy smartly became efficient in mathematics.
He definitely seemed frustrated.
vi) Adverbs are not used with linking verbs as subject complement. Subject complements are used as noun for which adjectives will be used in place of adverbs.
Ex.
The boxer is strong.
The painter is amazing.
FAQs on Linking Verbs:
1.) What is the main reason of using linking verbs?
Answer. With linking verbs students can describe subjects properly where no action has been done by them. to refer only states of being or existing using liking verbs is appropriate according to the subjects.
2.) Where will students get proper study resources of linking verbs?
Answer. Students should follow this entire article where all rules are given in easy language with perfect examples.