What Is a Linking Verb? : Definition&Example

A linking verb (or copular verb)

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What is a Linking Verb?

A linking verb (or copular verb) connects the subject of a sentence. (i.e., a noun, pronoun, or adjective that renames or describes the subject). That completes the meaning of the verb. Common linking verbs are the forms of the verb to be; verbs relating to the five senses; and the verbs become, appear, and seem.

Common Linking Verb:

1. be (is am are/ was were been) meaning used to say something about a person, thing, or state, to show a permanent or temporary quality, state, job, etc.
2. appear meaning to start to be seen or to be present
3. become meaning to start to be
4. come meaning to move or travel towards the speaker or with the speaker
5. feel meaning to experience something physical or emotional
6. get meaning to obtain, buy, or earn something
7. go meaning  
   to travel or move to another place
8. grow meaning to increase in size or amount, or to become more advanced or developed
9. look meaning  
   to direct your eyes in order to see
10. remain meaning to stay in the same place or in the same condition
11. seem meaning  
    to give the effect of being; to be judged to be
12. smell meaning to have a particular quality that others can notice with their noses
13. sound meaning something that you can hear or that can be heard
14. stay meaning to not move away from or leave a place or situation 
15. taste meaning the flavour of something, or the ability of a person or animal to recognize different flavours
16. turn meaning o (cause to) move in a circle around a fixed point or line

 Examples: Linking verbs in a sentence

Vera was my favorite aunt.

Kishwar seems bored. 

The finished painting will look great.

 How are linking verbs used in sentence

Linking verbs must follow subject-verb agreement and be conjugated for tense.

A linking verb is always followed by a subject complement (i.e., a word or phrase that identifies or describes the subject). There are two main types of subject complements:

• Predicate nominatives (or predicate nouns) identify the subject using a noun or noun phrase.
• Predicate adjectives describe the subject using an adjective or adjectival phrase.

The linking verb “be” can also be used along with an adverb or prepositional phrase to indicate time or location.

Example: Linking verb in sentence

Stew taste good.

His name is James.

Jamie becomes teacher.

The party was yesterday.

NOTE: If you’re unsure whether a verb is a linking verb, try replacing it with a conjugated form of the verb “be.” If the sentence still makes sense (even if it has a slightly different meaning), it’s likely a linking verb.

Ref

Engcouncil. (2022, 11 December). หลักการใช้ Linking Verb. Engcouncil.    

https://engcouncil.com/%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%83%E0%B8%8A%E0%B9%89-linking-verb/

Ryan E. (2023, 31 January). What Is a Linking Verb? | Definition & Examples. scribbr.

https://www.scribbr.com/verbs/linking-verb/