Examples of common linking verbs

Examples of Common Linking Verbs in Context

Linking verbs play a significant role in connecting the subject of a sentence to a complement that provides additional information about it. Here are examples of frequently used linking verbs, along with context-specific sentences:

Be:

The verb be and its forms (is, are, was, were, will be) are the most common linking verbs.

• He is confident in his abilities.
• They are ready for the competition.
• I am thrilled about the opportunity.
• The movie was captivating from start to finish.
• We will be there to celebrate your success.

Seem:

The verb seem conveys an impression or appearance.

• She seems joyful today.
• The task seems daunting at first.
• They seem eager to join the event.
• It seems like a wonderful adventure.
• He seems unsure about the decision.

Become:

Become indicates a change in state or identity.

• He became a professional chef after years of training.
• The weather became unpredictable during the trip.
• They became partners in the new business venture.
• This will become clearer as we discuss further.
• We have become more mindful of our actions.

Look:

The verb look relates to appearance.

• The garden looks vibrant after the rain.
• She looks delighted with her surprise gift.
• They look relaxed after the vacation.
• It looks like snow is coming.
• The painting looks mesmerizing under the lights.

Feel:

Feel describes physical sensations or emotions.

• I feel energized after the workout.
• She feels hopeful about the outcome.
• They feel proud of their achievements.
• He feels uncertain about the project.
• The pillow feels soft and plush.

Sound:

The verb sound pertains to auditory impressions.

• The idea sounds intriguing.
• Her laughter sounds infectious.
• It sounds like a well-thought-out plan.
• The doorbell sounds unusually loud.
• The melody sounds enchanting.

Remain:

Remain describes continuity or persistence.

• She remains optimistic despite the challenges.
• They remained quiet during the presentation.
• The friendship will remain unbroken over the years.
• The issue remains complicated for now.
• We have remained dedicated to our mission.

Grow:

Grow expresses development or gradual change.

• The flowers grow beautifully in the spring.
• He grew more confident with practice.
• Their bond grew deeper over time.
• The startup grew into a successful enterprise.
• We have grown attached to the community.

These examples illustrate how linking verbs can be effectively used to describe states of being, appearance, or conditions. Unlike action verbs, linking verbs do not show actions but establish connections between the subject and its complement, enriching the meaning of a sentence.