What Are The 20 Linking Verbs

Introduction

If you have ever wondered what are the 20 linking verbs that connect a subject to its complement, you are not alone. Linking verbs are the silent bridges that turn a simple sentence into a vivid description, allowing us to express states of being, emotions, and qualities without the need for an action word. In this article we will explore the full list of twenty common linking verbs, explain how they function, and show you how to use them correctly in everyday writing. By the end, you will have a clear, practical roadmap for mastering these essential building blocks of English grammar.

Detailed Explanation

Linking verbs do not show action; instead, they link the subject of a sentence to a subject complement—a noun, pronoun, or adjective that renames or describes the subject. Think of them as the “equals sign” in a mathematical equation: the subject is the complement. The most familiar linking verbs are the forms of to be (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been). Even so, English also includes several other verbs that can serve a linking function when they convey a state rather than an action, such as seem, become, appear, feel, look, sound, taste, smell, remain, grow, turn, and prove It's one of those things that adds up..

Understanding the distinction between action verbs and linking verbs is crucial for clear communication. Even so, action verbs describe what the subject does (e. g., run, write, jump), whereas linking verbs describe what the subject is or how it is perceived. This subtle shift changes the sentence’s focus from activity to description, which is why mastering the list of linking verbs can dramatically improve both writing and speaking precision.

Step‑by‑Step Concept Breakdown

1. Identify the subject – Find the noun or pronoun that the sentence is about. 2. Look for a verb that does not show action – If the verb can be replaced by is, was, seems, or becomes without breaking the sentence, it is likely a linking verb. 3. Determine the complement – The word or phrase that follows the verb and renames or describes the subject (e.g., happy, tall, the winner).
2. Confirm the function – Test the sentence by swapping the verb with is (or the appropriate form of to be). If the meaning stays the same, you have a linking verb.

Applying these steps repeatedly will help you internalize the patterns and recognize linking verbs instantly, even when they are less common forms like prove or remain.

Real Examples

Below are twenty sentences, each showcasing one of the linking verbs from our list. Notice how the verb connects the subject to a descriptive complement Easy to understand, harder to ignore..

• Am – I am excited about the upcoming conference.
• Is – She is a talented musician.
• Are – They are ready for the challenge.
• Was – The weather was pleasant yesterday.
• Were – We were surprised by the results. - Be – The goal is to be consistent.
• Being – Being honest is essential in any partnership.
• Been – He has been abroad three times. - Seem – The solution seems straightforward.
• Become – The caterpillar becomes a butterfly.
• Appear – The sky appears cloudy tonight.
• Look – The cake looks delicious.
• Feel – I feel nervous before a test.
• Sound – The music sounds soothing.
• Taste – The soup tastes salty.
• Smell – The flowers smell fragrant.
• Remain – The truth remains unchanged. - Grow – The seedlings grow quickly in spring.
• Turn – The caterpillar turns into a moth.
• Prove – The experiment proved the hypothesis.

Each of these verbs links the subject to a description, emotion, or state, fulfilling the core purpose of a linking verb It's one of those things that adds up..

Scientific or Theoretical Perspective

From a grammatical standpoint, linking verbs belong to the category of copular verbs, derived from the Latin word copula meaning “bond”. Linguists view them as functional heads that establish

Theoretical Lens: Why Copulas Matter

In syntactic theory, a copular verb functions as the head of a small clause that consists of a subject and a predicative complement. Unlike transitive verbs, which project an object phrase, copulas project a predicative phrase (PP) that can be an adjective phrase (AP), noun phrase (NP), or prepositional phrase (PP). This structural distinction explains why the complement does not receive the same case marking as a direct object and why it can often be moved or cleft‑ed without altering the core meaning:

Not the most exciting part, but easily the most useful.

• [NP The cake] [VP looks] [AP delicious] → It is the cake that looks delicious.
• [NP She] [VP became] [NP the champion] → It was she who became the champion.

Understanding this architecture helps learners see that the “action” of a linking verb is, in fact, a semantic equating: the subject is identified with, or has the property of, the complement. This perspective demystifies why verbs such as appear or remain—which can also serve as true action verbs—behave like copulas when they connect a subject to a state descriptor Small thing, real impact. That's the whole idea..

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

People argue about this. Here's where I land on it That's the part that actually makes a difference..

Practice Makes Perfect: Mini‑Drills

1. Identify the Link – Underline the verb and circle the complement in each sentence It's one of those things that adds up..

   • The night felt unusually quiet.
   • She proved a reliable teammate.
   • The soup tastes bland.

2. Swap Test – Replace the verb with an appropriate form of to be; if the sentence still makes sense, you’ve got a linking verb.

   • The night felt unusually quiet. → The night was unusually quiet. ✔️

3. Transformation – Turn a linking‑verb sentence into a cleft clause.

   • Original: The lecture was informative.
   • Cleft: It was the lecture that was informative.

Repeating these drills with a variety of subjects (people, objects, abstract ideas) will cement the pattern in your linguistic intuition.

Extending Beyond English

While this article focuses on English, many languages possess copular constructions, though they may be expressed differently. Day to day, for instance, Russian often omits the copula entirely in the present tense (Он учитель – “He teacher”), while Mandarin uses the particle 是 (shì) to link nouns (他是老师 – “He is a teacher”). Recognizing the universal role of linking verbs can therefore enhance multilingual learners’ overall grammatical awareness.

TL;DR: Quick Reference Sheet

Keep this table handy; when you encounter a verb, ask yourself: Is it connecting the subject to a description? If yes, you’ve likely found a linking verb Less friction, more output..

Conclusion

Linking verbs are the silent architects of definition and description in English. That said, they may lack the drama of action verbs, but their role in establishing identity, state, and quality is indispensable. By mastering the identification steps, internalizing the most common copular verbs, and practicing the quick‑swap and transformation drills, you’ll develop a sharper eye for when a verb is linking rather than doing But it adds up..

Quick note before moving on Most people skip this — try not to..

In everyday communication—whether drafting a persuasive essay, delivering a presentation, or simply texting a friend—precise use of linking verbs clarifies meaning, reduces ambiguity, and lends a professional polish to your language. Remember: every time you say “She seems confident” or “The night felt cold,” you’re employing a powerful grammatical bridge that turns raw information into vivid, relatable insight. Use it wisely, and let your sentences speak with both clarity and elegance.