Verbs and Linking Verbs: Comprehensive Guide with Examples
Quick answer: Verbs are the engine of every sentence — they express action, occurrence, or state of being. Linking verbs connect the subject to a description or identity (e.g., is, seem, become). This guide covers definitions, types, differences, usage rules, and exercises.
📅 February 15, 2026⏱️ 14 min read✍️ Mangesh Belekar
What Are Verbs? Definition & Core Categories
📌 CORE DEFINITION
A verb is a word that describes an action, an occurrence, or a state of being. Verbs are one of the main parts of speech and are essential for constructing meaningful sentences. They tell us what the subject does (e.g., run, eat), what happens to the subject (e.g., breaks, explodes), or what the subject is (e.g., is, seems).
Three main verb categories:Action verbs show what the subject does; linking verbs connect the subject to more information; helping verbs work with main verbs to express tense, mood, or voice. Without a verb, you don’t have a sentence—only a phrase or fragment.
Action Verbs: Physical & Mental
Action verbs express what the subject physically or mentally does. They bring energy and clarity to writing.
Subtype
Definition
Examples
Physical Action
Observable actions
jump, paint, run, swim, drive
Mental Action
Actions occurring in the mind
think, believe, consider, imagine, know
✍️ Writing Tip
Use specific action verbs instead of vague ones: replace did something with repaired, created, negotiated for stronger impact.
Linking Verbs in Detail
Linking verbs do not show action. Instead, they connect the subject of the sentence to a subject complement (a noun or adjective that describes or identifies the subject). They function as a bridge, expressing a state or condition.
Common Linking Verbs by Category
Category
Linking Verbs
Example Sentence
Forms of “Be”
is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been
She is a doctor. / They were tired.
Sensory (contextual)
look, feel, sound, smell, taste
The soup smells delicious. / You look happy.
Condition/State
become, seem, remain, appear, grow, stay, turn
He became restless. / The sky grew dark.
🔍 Identification Trick
Replace the verb with a form of “to be” (is/are). If the sentence still makes sense, the verb is likely linking. Example: The cake smells amazing → The cake is amazing ✅ (linking). He smelled the flower → He is the flower ❌ (action).
Helping (Auxiliary) Verbs
Helping verbs combine with main verbs to form verb phrases, adding meaning related to tense, mood, or voice. Common helping verbs: be, have, do, will, shall, would, should, can, could, may, might, must.
Examples: She is running late. (continuous tense) They have finished their homework. (perfect tense) We might go to the park. (possibility)
Linking vs. Action vs. Helping: Comparison Table
Feature
Action Verbs
Linking Verbs
Helping Verbs
Function
Show action (physical/mental)
Describe state or identity
Assist main verb
Followed by
Direct objects (optional)
Subject complements (adjective/noun)
Main verb (base/participle)
Examples
run, jump, think
is, seem, become
have, do, will, can
Example sentence
He runs every day.
She is tired.
They have eaten dinner.
Words That Can Be Both Action and Linking Verbs
Many sensory and change-of-state verbs can act as either linking or action verbs depending on context. The key is whether the verb describes the subject’s state/quality (linking) or an activity (action).
Verb
Linking Use (State)
Action Use (Activity)
smell
The soup smells great.
He smelled the flower.
grow
She grew impatient.
The plant grew quickly.
feel
I feel sick.
He felt the fabric.
look
You look happy.
She looked at me.
taste
It tastes delicious.
He tasted the sauce.
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
❌ Mistake 1: Using adverbs after linking verbs
Incorrect: She feels badly about it. Correct: She feels bad about it. (Linking verbs take adjectives, not adverbs.)
❌ Mistake 2: Misidentifying action vs. linking
Incorrect: He smells the fish awful. Correct: The fish smells awful. (Use context to decide function.)
❌ Mistake 3: Subject-verb disagreement with linking verbs
Incorrect: They was happy. Correct: They were happy. (Match the linking verb to the subject’s number.)
Practice Exercises
✏️ EXERCISE 1: Identify the Linking Verb
1. The sky looks dark. 2. He feels sad about the news. 3. The soup tastes amazing. 4. They were teachers before retiring. 5. The cat became quiet.
✏️ EXERCISE 2: Fill in the Blank with Correct Linking Verb
She ___ nervous before her speech. / The kids ___ very excited. / This room ___ cold.
Show Answers
Suggested: becomes, are, feels/seems/is
Frequently Asked Questions
What are linking verbs?
Linking verbs connect the subject to a subject complement (noun or adjective) that describes or identifies it. They express a state, condition, or identity — not action. Examples: is, seem, become, feel, look.
How do you use linking verbs in writing?
Use linking verbs to describe what someone/something is, how they feel, or what they become. They are followed by adjectives or nouns acting as subject complements. Example: She is smart. / He became a firefighter.
Can a verb be both linking and action?
Yes. Many sensory verbs (look, feel, smell, taste) and state verbs (grow, remain) can act as either. Example: She feels the blanket (action) vs. She feels cold (linking).
Are all forms of “to be” linking verbs?
Mostly yes, when they connect subject to complement (He is a doctor). However, they can also be helping verbs when combined with an action verb (He is working late).
Master Verbs — Speak and Write Confidently
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Belekar Sir is the founder and lead instructor at Belekar Sir’s Academy, a trusted name in English language education. With over a decade of teaching experience, he has helped thousands of students—from beginners to advanced learners—develop fluency, confidence, and real-world communication skills. Known for his practical teaching style and deep understanding of learner needs, Belekar Sir is passionate about making English accessible and empowering for everyone. When he’s not teaching, he’s creating resources and guides to support learners on their journey to mastering spoken English.
