Linking verbs

1. The Concept of Linking Verbs

Summary: Linking verbs are verbs used to describe the state of the subject rather than an action. After a linking verb, an adjective or a noun phrase follows.

Normally, to describe the state of the subject, we use the verb "to be".

Example:

• Adam is a 30-year-old man. → Adam = 30-year-old man.
• Jenny was scared of thunder. → Jenny = scared.

Besides the verb "to be", we can also use other linking verbs to describe the state of the subject.

Example:

• You seem happy. → You = happy.
• She sounded more confident than she felt. → She = more confident.
• My father became a high school teacher at 22. → My father = high school teacher.

After a linking verb, an adjective or a noun phrase follows:

• Train fares are likely to remain unchanged.
• They remained good friends in spite of their quarrel.

They remained good friends in spite of their quarrel.

2. Common Linking Verbs

Some common linking verbs are:

• feel
• look
• sound
• smell
• taste
• appear
• seem
• prove
• grow
• remain
• stay
• become
• get
• turn

Example:

• I feel sorry for his loss.
• Dinner smells good.
• The company is growing bigger and bigger.
• He never stays angry for long.
• The weather has turned cold.

Dinner smells good.

3. Adjectives Following Linking Verbs

After linking verbs, we use adjectives, not adverbs.

Compare:

• He spoke intelligently. (Intelligently is an adverb describing how he spoke.)

• He seems intelligent. (Intelligent is an adjective describing the person, not the action. Seem is a linking verb.)

4. Other Uses of Linking Verbs

Some linking verbs can also be used with different meanings as regular verbs. In such cases, they are followed by adverbs, not adjectives.

Compare:

• The problem appeared impossible.

Do not use: ...impossibly.

• Isabel suddenly appeared in the doorway.

Do not use: ...sudden...

Other verbs that can be used in both ways include look, taste, and feel.

5. Talking About Change with Linking Verbs

Some linking verbs are used to talk about change or remaining unchanged. Common verbs include become, get, grow, go, turn, stay, remain, keep.

Example:

• It's becoming/getting colder.
• How does she stay so young?
• I hope you will always remain so happy.
• The leaves are going/turning brown.

6. Other Verbs Followed by Adjectives

Sometimes other verbs can be followed by adjectives when we focus on describing the subject rather than the action. Common verbs include sit, stand, lie, fall.

Example:

• The valley lay quiet and peaceful in the sun.
• She sat motionless, waiting for their decision.
• He fell unconscious on the floor.

Do not use: ...unconsciously...

Adjectives can also be used in the structure verb + object + adjective to describe the object of the verb.

Example:

• New SUPER GUB washes clothes SUPER WHITE.

Do not use: ...whitely...

He pulled his belt tight and started off.

Do not use: ...tightly...