What Are Linking Verbs? - Definition & Examples

Instructor: Bethany Calderwood

Bethany has taught special education in grades PK-5 and has a master's degree in special education.

There are many ways to classify verbs. Two main types of verbs are action verbs and linking verbs. This lesson will give you a definition of linking verbs, some examples, and a way to identify linking verbs.

A Break From the Action

Do you ever get tired of all the busyness and action - like cooking, cleaning, working, writing, studying, carpooling, washing, mowing, driving, and typing? Do you ever wish you could get away from it all and just be - just exist calmly, without any action? Well, this lesson cannot give you that much-needed vacation from action. But it will introduce you to the type of verbs that do not express action. These verbs are called linking verbs. Linking verbs express a state of being and make a link in the sentence. Before we talk more about that link, let's review the basic parts of a sentence.

The Ingredients of a Sentence

In order for a sentence to be complete, it must have both a subject and a verb. The subject is who or what the sentence is about. The verb either tells what the subject does (an action verb) or it tells the subject's state of being (a linking verb).

She jumped for joy.

Subject = She; Verb (action) = jumped

That flower is beautiful.

Subject = flower; Verb (state of being) = is

A sentence can be divided into two parts: the subject part containing the subject and modifiers, and the predicate part, containing the verb and modifiers, objects, and subject complements. More on subject complements is coming up.

Now that we've reviewed the sentence, let's find out more about linking verbs.

What Does a Linking Verb Link?

The linking verb links the subject of the sentence with a word in the predicate part of the sentence that renames or describes the subject. The word in the predicate that follows a linking verb to rename or describe the subject is known as a subject complement. There are two types: predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives.

Predicate Nominatives

Sometimes the subject is linked to a noun (person, place, thing, or idea) or pronoun (word replacing a noun such as he, she, they). This noun or pronoun that renames the subject is called a predicate nominative.

Miranda is a scuba diver.

The linking verb ''is'' connects the subject ''Miranda'' with the noun ''diver.'' It renames the noun, Miranda.

Predicate Adjectives

Sometimes the subject is linked to an adjective (word that describes a noun or pronoun) that describes it. This adjective is called a predicate adjective.

My notebook is full.

The linking verb ''is'' connects the subject ''notebook'' with the adjective ''full.'' It describes the noun, notebook.

The most commonly used linking verbs are forms of the verb be as can be seen in the chart.

'to be'	Verbs
Am	Is
Are	Was
Were	Has
Being	Been

Recognizing Linking Verbs

You may be starting to think that linking verbs are boring. After all, we've only seen sample sentences with the verb ''is.'' Don't worry. There are actually many linking verbs. Look at the illustration.

To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Create your account

Register to view this lesson

Are you a student or a teacher?

Unlock Your Education

See for yourself why 30 million people use Study.com

Become a Study.com member and start learning now.

Become a Member Back

What teachers are saying about Study.com

Try it risk-free for 30 days

Description

Summary:

Visit the English Grammar Rules page to learn more.

Earning Credit

Earning College Credit

Did you know… We have over 160 college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Anyone can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level.

To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page

Transferring credit to the school of your choice

Not sure what college you want to attend yet? Study.com has thousands of articles about every imaginable degree, area of study and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you.

Research Schools, Degrees & Careers

Get the unbiased info you need to find the right school.

Browse Articles By Category

Browse an area of study or degree level.

Area of Study

Degree Level

30 day money back guarantee
Starting Original Price		/yr	/mo
	Just Just	/day
Discount For months	- % -	/
Price after trial Starting Price starting today		/
	Just Just	/day

What Are Linking Verbs? - Definition & Examples

A Break From the Action

The Ingredients of a Sentence