Linking verbs are not used to show actions. They act as a link between the subject and the complement, which describes the subject. The complement is mostly an adjective or an adjective phrase although it can be a noun phrase or an adverbial. The complement gives more information about the subject.
The linking verbs are boldfaced in the following examples.
Verbs that are always linking verbs:
be* |
become |
seem |
* and any form of the verb be
Verbs that are linking verbs and can also be action verbs:
act |
grow |
sound* |
appear |
look* |
stay |
feel* |
prove |
taste* |
get |
remain |
turn |
go |
smell* |
|
* sensory
Linking verbs that are any forms of the verb be and are also helping verbs:
is |
was |
been |
am |
were |
being |
are |
be |
|
Some linking verbs in verb phrases:
can be |
had been |
should be |
could be |
my be |
will be |
has been |
might be |
|
have been |
might have been |
|