How do I use linking verbs with adjectives?

What Are Linking Verbs?

Linking verbs are verbs that do not show action. Instead, they connect the subject of a sentence to a word or phrase that describes or identifies it. The most common linking verb is “to be” (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been), but others include “seem,” “become,” “appear,” “feel,” “look,” “sound,” “taste,” and “smell.” Unlike action verbs, linking verbs provide additional information about the subject by linking it to a subject complement, which is often an adjective.

How Linking Verbs Work with Adjectives

When linking verbs are used with adjectives, the adjective describes the subject of the sentence. These adjectives are called predicate adjectives. The structure is usually:

Subject + Linking Verb + Adjective

For example: “The soup tastes delicious.” In this sentence, “tastes” is the linking verb, and “delicious” is the adjective describing “the soup.”

Examples of Linking Verbs with Adjectives

• The sky looks blue.
• She is happy.
• He became tired.
• The cake smells wonderful.
• They seem excited.

Common Linking Verbs in English

Here are some of the most frequently used linking verbs:

• Be (am, is, are, was, were)
• Become
• Seem
• Appear
• Feel
• Look
• Sound
• Taste
• Smell
• Remain
• Stay

Tips for Using Linking Verbs with Adjectives

1. Use Adjectives, Not Adverbs

After linking verbs, always use adjectives, not adverbs. For example:

• Correct: She looks tired.
• Incorrect: She looks tiredly.

This is because the adjective describes the subject, not how the action is performed.

2. Identify the Linking Verb in a Sentence

To check if a verb is a linking verb, try replacing it with a form of “to be.” If the sentence still makes sense, it’s likely a linking verb. For example:

• The soup smells delicious. (The soup is delicious.)

3. Practice with Common Adjectives

Get comfortable using adjectives that frequently follow linking verbs, such as happy, sad, tired, excited, hungry, cold, hot, and similar descriptive words.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using adverbs instead of adjectives: Remember, after linking verbs, use adjectives (e.g., “He feels bad,” not “He feels badly”).
• Forgetting that some verbs can be both action and linking verbs: For example, “smell” can be an action verb (“She smelled the flowers”) or a linking verb (“The flowers smell sweet”).

Practice Exercises

Try completing these sentences using the correct form of the linking verb and an appropriate adjective:

1. The weather ______ (be) ________.
2. My coffee ______ (taste) ________.
3. He ______ (seem) ________ after the run.
4. The music ______ (sound) ________.
5. They ______ (look) ________ in their costumes.

Answers: is cold, tastes bitter, seems tired, sounds beautiful, look amazing.

Conclusion

Linking verbs are essential for connecting subjects with descriptive adjectives, creating sentences that are both informative and expressive. By understanding and practicing how to use linking verbs with adjectives, you can improve your English grammar and sound more like a native speaker. For more tips and interactive language learning tools, check out the Talkpal AI language learning blog and start mastering English today!