linking verb
Equals sign, grammatically
A linking verb connects a subject to a word that describes or identifies it, rather than showing action.
The most common is "be" in its forms: The soup is hot, She was a doctor.
Other linking verbs include seem, become, appear, feel, look, sound, taste, and smell: That sounds wonderful, He became angry.
The same verbs can function as action verbs in other contexts—compare She looked tired with She looked out the window.
Present-tense existence verb
Verb joining subject and complement
- stativeExpressing a condition
- attributiveDirectly preceding noun modified
- nonactionDeliberate absence of response
- intransitiveVerb requiring no object
Matches in value
- representsStands in for
- constitutesMakes up or forms
- signifiesExpresses or represents meaning
- denotesIndicates or represents
symbolizes · embodies · epitomizes · personifies · exemplifies · stands for · mirrors · reflects
is
Present-tense existence verb
were · be · being · been · become · seem · appear · remain · stay · look
copula
Verb joining subject and complement
- stativeExpressing a condition
- attributiveDirectly preceding noun modified
- nonactionDeliberate absence of response
equals
Matches in value
- representsStands in for
- constitutesMakes up or forms
- signifiesExpresses or represents meaning
denotes · symbolizes · embodies · epitomizes · personifies · exemplifies · stands for · mirrors · reflects · parallels
- grammardeclension, pronouns, adjectives, conjugation, nouns
- grammar partsnoun, adjective, adverb, pronoun, preposition
- grammar termsnoun, adjective, adverb, pronoun, preposition
- connectivelink, bond, connector, tie, conjunction
- syntaxsentence, noun, adjective, adverb, subject
- verb aspectsperfective, progressive, habitual, stative, continuous
linking verbaction verb
Word expressing activity
action word · transitive verb · intransitive verb · main verb · auxiliary verb
verb, linked, linking, links, unlinked, interlink, linker, unlink, hyperlink