LINKING VERBS

CONTENTS

DEFINITION

TYPES OF LINKING VERBS

SENTENCE PATTERNS

THE VERB BE

LISTS OF THE MOST COMMON LINKING VERBS

RESOURCES

Definition:
Linking verbs or copular verbs link a subject to a complement. Linking verbs MUST be followed by a complement in order to make the sentence complete. The complement can be a subject complement or an adverbial, and occurs in two sentence types which are of the Subject-Verb-Complement (SVC) and Subject-Verb-Adverbial (SVA) pattern.

 

Types:
There are two groups of linking verbs: current linking verbs and resulting linking verbs.

Current linking verbs indicate a state. (current linking verbs) Resulting linking verbs indicate that the role of the verb complement is a result of the process described in the verb. (resulting linking verbs)

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Sentence Patterns:

Subject-Verb-Complement

We can distinguish the following patterns:A. The complement is a noun phrase or noun clause:

B. To be can occur between the linking verb and the complement. Although this "to be" is not necessary, both American English and British English prefer an infinitive construction with to be rather than simply a noun phrase.

NOTE:a) There is also a tendency , especially in AME, to prefer a construction in which the verb is followed by like: It seems like she does not want to go to school..b) Some linking verbs are restricted as to the words that may occur in their complement. Examples are: rest (assured), run (wild), plead (innocent), fall (silent).C. The complement is an adjective.

 

Sentence Patterns:

Subject-Verb-Adverbial

The main linking verb that allows an adverbial as complementation is to be. The most common adverbials are place and time adverbials.

 

The Verb BE:

Some grammarians refer to the verb be as "the copula" since this is its main function in English. All the forms of be can be used as a linking verb. Be is the main verb of the sentence, rather than the auxiliary and is used in both SVC and SVA patterns.

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Lists of the most common linking verbs:

Current Linking Verbs

appear John appeared happy when the company promoted him.
be The graduate students are in Classroom South, Room 106.
feel She felt really happy with the new baby.
lie The pieces lay scattered over the floor.
look This person looks really tired.
remain Everybody remained silent for a few minutes.
seem This secretary seems (to be) very efficient.
smell That perfume smelled so fresh.
sound She sounded very surprised when she heard the news.
stay Everybody stayed calm when the fire alarm went off.
taste This grapefruit tastes very bitter.

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Resulting Linking Verbs

become He became a successful business man.
get She got upset with her students.
grow The professor grew unhappy because the students were not listening well.
fall My brother fell in love at the party.
prove The new secretary proved (to be) very friendly.
run The children ran wild.
turn The milk turned sour.

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Resources: