Linking verbs are not used to show actions. They act as a link between the subject and the complement, which describes the subject. The complement is mostly an adjective or an adjective phrase although it can be a noun phrase or an adverbial. The complement gives more information about the subject.
Verbs that are always linking verbs:
be* |
become |
seem |
* and any form of the verb be.
Linking verbs that are any forms of the verb be; they are also helping verbs:
is |
was |
been |
am |
were |
being |
are |
be |
|
The linking verbs are boldfaced in the following examples.
Examples:
-
Sitting on a garden bench and watching people jogging past is my new hobby.
(Complement = noun phrase: my new hobby)
-
Those trees are where owls roost and hoot at night.
(Complement = adverbial phrase: where owls roost and hoot at night.)
-
This morning our boss was grumpy.
(Complement = adjective: grumpy)
-
The graves of their parents were marked by simple headstones.
(Complement = adjective phrase: marked by simple headstones.)
Verbs that are linking verbs and can also be action verbs:
act |
grow |
sound* |
appear |
look* |
stay |
feel* |
prove |
taste* |
get |
remain |
turn |
go |
smell* |
|
* sensory
Some linking verbs in verb phrases:
can be |
had been |
should be |
could be |
may be |
will be |
has been |
might be |
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