Linking Verbs

WORD LIST

Why do I need this?  Linking Verbs connect the subject to a predicate adjective, and some can also connect the subject to a predicate nominative (another noun that equals or renames the subject).  The various forms of BE are the most common Linking Verbs, along with ‘become’, ‘get’, and perception verbs like ‘feel’ or ‘seem’.  But as you can see, there are a slew of other verbs that – at least for some of their definitions – can be used to lead into subject complements like adjectives.

Click a column to sort the table, grouping the Stative Verbs together, setting apart which ones can be followed by predicate nominatives, separating the general from the selective applications, etc.

VerbPurposeDynamic or StativeSubject ComplementApplication
BEprimary copulastative^adjective phrase or nominativegeneral
actsuppositioneither^adjective phrasegeneral
appearperceptionstativeadjective phrasegeneral
becomedevelopmentdynamic^adjective phrase or nominativegeneral
comedevelopmentdynamicadjective phraseselective
diedevelopmentstativeadjective phrase or nominativegeneral
emergesuppositionstativeadjective phrasegeneral
end updevelopmentstative^adjective phrase or nominativegeneral
extendstancestativeadjective phraseselective
falldevelopmentdynamicadjective phraseselective
feelperceptionstative^adjective phrasegeneral
getdevelopmentdynamicadjective phrasegeneral
godevelopmentdynamicadjective phraseselective
growdevelopmentdynamicadjective phrasegeneral
keepdevelopmentstative^adjective phrasegeneral
leansupposition / stanceeitheradjective phraseselective
liestanceeitheradjective phraseselective
lookperceptionstative^adjective phrasegeneral
playsuppositioneitheradjective phrase or nominativegeneral
provesuppositioneitheradjective phrasegeneral
remaindevelopmentstative^adjective phrase or nominativegeneral
rundevelopment / stanceeitheradjective phrasegeneral
seemperceptionstative^adjective phrasegeneral
sitstancestativeadjective phraseselective
smellperceptionstative^adjective phrasegeneral
soundperceptionstative^adjective phrasegeneral
standsupposition / stanceeitheradjective phraseselective
staydevelopmentstative^adjective phrase or nominativegeneral
stretchstancestativeadjective phraseselective
tasteperceptionstative^adjective phrasegeneral
testsuppositioneitheradjective phraseselective
turndevelopmentdynamicadjective phraseselective
Linking Verbs grouped by how they are used (for example, 'seem' and 'feel' are Perceptual, while 'get' and 'become' are Dynamic). Download as a PDF.

Download

Sign in to Insider Access (it’s free!) to download.

NOTES
  • A predicate adjective may or may not be a single-word adjective.  It may instead be adjective phrase featuring adverbs or a prepositional phrase that modifies the subject.
  • Some Linking Verbs are stative (or static) while others are dynamic.  Dynamic verbs indicate a change over time.  Compare “She was irritated,” with “She became irritated”.  Dynamic Verbs can be used in Continuous Tenses, but Stative Verbs cannot.
  • Verbs that feature ^ in their row can connect to a predicate nominative when ‘like’ follows the verb.  For instance, you can say, “He’s acting like a fool,” or “This feels like cotton.”
  • Keep in mind that most words have multiple definitions, and not every definition of a given word qualifies as for a Linking Verb.  For instance, the verb in “Can you taste the rosemary?” is an Action Verb, while that same verb in “This milk tastes funny,” is a Linking Verb.

While most Linking Verbs can be followed by a wide range of adjectives, certain Linking Verbs can only be followed by select predicate adjectives.  For instance, you could say, “I went crazy,” or “The restaurant is going green,” but not “He goes smart,” or “The flowers are going small.”  Here are some example applications for even more selective Linking Verbs:

  • come alive; loose; true
  • fall ill; quiet, silent
  • lean conservative; experimental
  • stand firm; strong; tall
  • test high; positive
  • turn blue; sour

The Linking Verbs categorized with ‘stance’ purpose in our list are typically followed by prepositional phrases rather than traditional adjectives.  The verbs extend, lie, run, sit, stand, and stretch might be followed by phrases like “on a hilltop” or “along the river”.

Some (but not all) Linking Verbs are also Stative Verbs.
Learn more and see our list here:

Stative Verbs

Subscribe to the Insights Mailing List

Take advantage of every method, idea, tip, and trick we have to offer teachers.  We’ll keep you informed of every new resource we release.