Linking Verbs Examples and Exercises

Linking Verbs Exercises

These exercises focus on linking verbs.

What Are Linking Verbs?

A linking verb connects the subject of a sentence to a subject complement (a word or phrase that gives more information about the subject). It does not show action.

👉 Example:

She is happy.
They seem tired.

In both sentences, the linking verbs (is, seem) connect the subject (she, they) to a description (happy, tired).

Common Linking Verbs

Some verbs are always linking verbs, while others can be action or linking verbs depending on the sentence.

Always Linking Verbs

These verbs only function as linking verbs:

Linking Verb	Example Sentence
be (am, is, are, was, were, been, being)	She is a teacher.
seem	He seems tired.
become	They became friends.

Sometimes Linking, Sometimes Action

Some verbs can be linking or action verbs, depending on their use.

Verb	Linking Example	Action Example
feel	I feel sick.	She felt the soft fabric.
look	You look great!	He looked at the painting.
sound	That sounds amazing.	She sounded the alarm.
grow	He grew angry.	The plant grew quickly.
stay	Please stay calm.	He stayed at home.

How to Use Linking Verbs

Linking Verbs with Adjectives, Not Adverbs

A common mistake is using an adverb instead of an adjective after a linking verb.

🚫 Incorrect: She looks happily.
✅ Correct: She looks happy.

Rule: Use an adjective (not an adverb) after a linking verb because it describes the subject, not the action.

Replacing Linking Verbs

Sometimes, replacing a linking verb with "equals" can help check if it makes sense.

👉 Example:

The soup smells delicious. (The soup = delicious ✅)
She feels cold. (She = cold ✅)

If the sentence still makes sense, the verb is likely a linking verb.

Common Errors with Linking Verbs

1. Using the Wrong Form of "Be"

🚫 Incorrect: She were happy.
✅ Correct: She was happy.

2. Using an Adverb Instead of an Adjective

🚫 Incorrect: He seems angrily.
✅ Correct: He seems angry.

3. Confusing Action and Linking Verbs

🚫 Incorrect: He grew plants. (If you mean he became a plant, this is wrong!)
✅ Correct: He grew tall.

Linking Verbs in Everyday English

We use linking verbs all the time in conversations and writing.

🔹 Describing people or things:

She is my best friend.
This cake tastes amazing.

🔹 Talking about feelings and states:

I feel tired.
You seem excited.

🔹 Talking about changes:

He became a doctor.
The sky turned red at sunset.

Key Differences Between Linking and Helping Verbs

Feature	Linking Verbs	Helping Verbs
Purpose	Connect subject to more information	Help the main verb form tense, voice, or mood
Example	She is a teacher.	She is teaching English.
Action?	No, they describe the subject	Yes, they support the main verb
Can stand alone?	Yes	No, must be with a main verb

FAQs about Linking Verbs

How do I know if a verb is a linking verb?

Try replacing it with "is" or "equals." If the sentence still makes sense, it's a linking verb.

What is the most common linking verb?

The verb "to be" (am, is, are, was, were) is the most common linking verb.

Can a sentence have two linking verbs?

Yes! Example: "He is becoming tired."

What is the difference between action verbs and linking verbs?

Action verbs show movement or activity, while linking verbs connect the subject to a description.

Can "have" be a linking verb?

No, "have" is not a linking verb. It is an auxiliary (helping) verb or an action verb.