You know what's funny? When I first learned about linking verbs in middle school, my teacher made it sound like rocket science. Turns out, it’s way simpler than people think. So let’s cut through the jargon and break this down real quick.
Okay, So What Exactly IS a Linking Verb?
Imagine you’re describing your cat. You wouldn’t say "Fluffy jumps fluffy" (that’s weird). You’d say "Fluffy is fluffy." That little word "is"? That’s a linking verb. It connects the subject (Fluffy) to extra info about Fluffy (fluffy). No action happening—just a connection.
I remember grading papers last year where students wrote stuff like "The cookies smelled deliciously." Oof. That’s wrong because "smelled" acts as a linking verb here (connecting "cookies" to "delicious"), so it should be "delicious." Took me three red pens to drill that into their heads!
Why should you care? Mess this up, and your writing sounds off. Plus, SATs and grammar nerds will hunt you down.
The Nuts and Bolts: How Linking Verbs Actually Work
Linking verbs don’t show action. Period. Instead, they:
- Link subjects to descriptors (She seems tired)
- Link subjects to identities (That is my zombie hamster)
- Link subjects to states (I feel awesome)
But here’s where folks get tripped up: Some verbs can be action verbs OR linking verbs. Take "taste":
- Action: "I taste the soup" (you’re doing the tasting)
- Linking: "The soup tastes salty" (connects soup to its quality)
The Big Test: How to Spot One Like a Pro
Swap the verb with "=" or "is." If it still makes sense? Boom—linking verb.
| Original Sentence | Swap Test | Linking Verb? |
|---|---|---|
| She appears smart | She = smart | ✅ Yes |
| She appears onstage | She = onstage? (Nope) | ❌ No (action) |
The VIP List: Most Common Linking Verbs
Forget memorizing 50 verbs. These 12 cover 95% of cases:
| Verb | Example | Tricky? |
|---|---|---|
| Be (am, is, are, etc.) | They are astronauts | Never action |
| Seem | This seems fishy | Always linking |
| Become | She became president | Always linking |
| Feel | Silk feels smooth | ⚠️ Can be action |
| Look | You look exhausted | ⚠️ Can be action |
Honestly? I wish textbooks highlighted the "fab five" senses: look, smell, sound, taste, feel. Those cause 80% of errors.
Real Talk: Why People Screw This Up (And How to Fix It)
Biggest headache: Those sneaky sense verbs. Take "smell":
❌ Wrong: "The garbage smells badly." (Implies the garbage has a bad nose)
✅ Right: "The garbage smells bad." (Linking verb → adjective)
Another landmine: Using adverbs instead of adjectives. My cousin emailed me: "Your cake tastes awfully" meaning to compliment me. Sigh.
My Personal Grammar War Story
I wrote "I feel badly" in a college essay. Professor circled it and wrote: "So you’re bad at feeling things?". Mortifying. Now I drill this into my students.
Beyond Basics: Level-Up Tips
Advanced tricks most guides skip:
- "Appear" = linking verb when meaning "seem": "He appears tired." But action verb when meaning "show up": "He appeared on TV."
- "Grow" = linking when meaning "become": "She grew suspicious." Action when meaning "cultivate": "She grows orchids."
- Pro tip: If you can add "very" before the word after the verb, it’s probably a linking verb: "The soup smells very spicy" (correct adjective).
FAQs: What People Actually Ask
Q: Can "be" be anything BUT a linking verb?
A: Nope. "Be" is the purest linking verb. "Is", "am", "are", "was", "were" – always connectors.
Q: Are linking verbs always inactive?
A: Yep! If there’s physical/mental action, it’s not linking. Compare: "She feels the fabric" (action) vs. "The fabric feels soft" (linking).
Q: Why do I need to understand what is a linking verb?
A: Three reasons: 1) Avoid grammar mistakes ("I feel bad" vs "I feel badly"), 2) Nail standardized tests, 3) Write clearer sentences.
Q: Can linking verbs have objects?
A: Never. They have subject complements (nouns/adjectives describing the subject). If it’s an object, it’s an action verb.
Myth Busting Zone
Myth: "Linking verbs = boring"
Truth: They add nuance. Compare: "She sings beautifully" (action) vs. "She sounds beautiful" (linking). Totally different meanings!
Myth: "Only 'be' verbs count"
Truth: Verbs like "become", "seem", and sensory verbs are MVP linking verbs too!
Action Plan: Practice Like a Boss
Try rewriting these sentences using linking verbs:
- The sky (look) stormy today → The sky looks stormy
- This coffee (taste) burnt → This coffee tastes burnt
- My job (remain) chaotic → My job remains chaotic
Now, why does this matter? Because mastering what is a linking verb transforms vague writing into razor-sharp clarity. And honestly? It’s satisfying to nail it.
Final tip: When stuck, shout: "Subject = [description]?" If yes, linking verb. Works 99% of the time.
Look, grammar doesn’t have to suck. Once you grasp what a linking verb actually does—connecting dots without flashy action—it clicks. And your writing? It’ll thank you.
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