Mastering Linking Verbs: 100 Examples with Meanings for Exam Success

Introduction

Linking verbs are the backbone of clear and concise sentence construction, connecting subjects to additional information about them. Unlike action verbs, linking verbs describe a state of being or condition, making them crucial for effective communication. For students and candidates preparing for competitive exams like SAT, GRE, IELTS, or TOEFL, mastering linking verbs can enhance your writing and speaking skills. This article provides a comprehensive list of 100 linking verbs with their meanings, along with practical tips to excel in exams and beyond.

What Are Linking Verbs?

Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a word or phrase that describes or identifies it, often indicating a state of being, sensory experience, or condition. Common examples include “is,” “seem,” and “become.” These verbs are essential for constructing sentences that convey descriptions or states, making them a key focus in grammar sections of competitive exams.

100 Linking Verbs with Meanings

Below is a detailed list of 100 linking verbs, including common and less common examples, with their meanings to enrich your vocabulary:

1. Am – To exist or be (first-person singular).
2. Are – To exist or be (plural or second-person singular).
3. Is – To exist or be (third-person singular).
4. Was – Past tense of “is.”
5. Were – Past tense of “are.”
6. Be – To exist or occur.
7. Been – Past participle of “be.”
8. Being – Present participle of “be.”
9. Appear – To seem or look like.
10. Seem – To give the impression of being.
11. Become – To change or develop into.
12. Grow – To develop or increase in some quality.
13. Remain – To continue to be.
14. Stay – To continue in a state or position.
15. Feel – To experience a sensation or emotion.
16. Look – To appear or seem visually.
17. Sound – To seem or appear through sound.
18. Smell – To have a particular odor or quality.
19. Taste – To have a particular flavor.
20. Act – To behave in a certain way.
21. Prove – To turn out to be.
22. Turn – To change into a particular state.
23. Get – To become or come to be.
24. Fall – To become or enter a state (e.g., ill).
25. Keep – To remain in a state.
26. Lie – To be in a particular state or position.
27. Sit – To be in a seated position or state.
28. Stand – To be in an upright position or state.
29. Rest – To remain in a state of calm or inactivity.
30. End – To conclude or result in a state.
31. Run – To become or extend (e.g., dry).
32. Go – To become or change state (e.g., bad).
33. Come – To arrive at a state (e.g., true).
34. Grow – To become gradually (e.g., tired).
35. Wax – To grow or become (e.g., poetic).
36. Turn out – To result or prove to be.
37. Add up – To make sense or seem reasonable.
38. Feel like – To seem inclined toward.
39. Look like – To resemble or appear as.
40. Sound like – To resemble through sound.
41. Rank – To hold a certain position or status.
42. Rate – To be considered or evaluated as.
43. Measure – To be equivalent to in quality.
44. Count – To be regarded as significant.
45. Qualify – To be considered eligible or suitable.
46. Pass – To be accepted or regarded as.
47. Serve – To function or act as.
48. Equal – To be the same as in value or status.
49. Represent – To stand for or symbolize.
50. Constitute – To be or form.
51. Comprise – To consist of or be made up of.
52. Consist – To be composed of.
53. Belong – To be properly placed or classified.
54. Fit – To be suitable or appropriate.
55. Suit – To be appropriate or acceptable.
56. Match – To correspond or be similar.
57. Resemble – To be like or similar to.
58. Mirror – To reflect or resemble closely.
59. Reflect – To show or indicate a state.
60. Show – To demonstrate or reveal a state.
61. Indicate – To point to or suggest a state.
62. Suggest – To imply or hint at a state.
63. Imply – To suggest a state indirectly.
64. Express – To convey or indicate a state.
65. Reveal – To make known or show a state.
66. Denote – To indicate or signify.
67. Signify – To mean or represent.
68. Betoken – To indicate or be a sign of.
69. Mark – To indicate or characterize.
70. Characterize – To describe or define.
71. Define – To describe the nature of.
72. Identify – To establish as being.
73. Label – To describe or designate.
74. Name – To designate or identify.
75. Call – To describe or refer to as.
76. Term – To name or describe.
77. Designate – To indicate or specify.
78. Classify – To categorize or describe.
79. Categorize – To place in a category.
80. Group – To classify or associate.
81. Align – To be in agreement or associated.
82. Associate – To connect or link with.
83. Correlate – To have a mutual relationship.
84. Relate – To be connected or associated.
85. Link – To connect or associate.
86. Connect – To join or relate.
87. Tie – To connect or associate.
88. Bind – To connect or obligate.
89. Unite – To join or become one.
90. Merge – To blend or combine into one.
91. Blend – To mix or combine smoothly.
92. Fuse – To blend or unite.
93. Amalgamate – To combine or unite.
94. Integrate – To combine into a whole.
95. Harmonize – To be in agreement or accord.
96. Balance – To be in equilibrium.
97. Equalize – To make equal or similar.
98. Stabilize – To become steady or stable.
99. Settle – To become fixed or established.
100. Establish – To set up or confirm a state.

Tips for Using Linking Verbs in Competitive Examinations

Linking verbs are frequently tested in grammar, writing, and speaking sections of competitive exams. Here are essential tips to help students and candidates use them effectively:

1. Understand Their Role: Recognize that linking verbs connect the subject to a complement (e.g., “She is happy”). This is key for sentence correction questions in exams like SAT or GRE.
2. Differentiate from Action Verbs: Unlike action verbs, linking verbs describe states, not actions. For example, “feel” as a linking verb (“I feel tired”) differs from its action verb use (“I feel the fabric”).
3. Use in Descriptive Writing: In essays, use linking verbs like “seem,” “appear,” or “become” to describe states or conditions clearly, enhancing your writing score.
4. Practice Subject-Complement Agreement: Ensure the subject and complement align logically (e.g., “The soup tastes delicious” vs. “The soup tastes carefully” is incorrect).
5. Boost Vocabulary for Synonyms: Exams like IELTS test synonym knowledge. Learn synonyms for common linking verbs, e.g., “seem” (appear, look) or “become” (grow, turn).
6. Avoid Overuse in Speaking: In speaking tests, balance linking verbs with action verbs to sound dynamic and avoid repetitive sentence structures.
7. Spot in Sentence Correction: Competitive exams often include questions where you must identify or correct linking verbs in sentences. Practice spotting errors like “He is seeming tired” (incorrect) vs. “He seems tired” (correct).
8. Memorize Sensory Linking Verbs: Verbs like “look,” “sound,” “taste,” “feel,” and “smell” are commonly tested in grammar sections due to their dual roles as linking and action verbs.

Conclusion

Linking verbs are vital tools for clear and effective communication, enabling you to describe states, conditions, and relationships with precision. By mastering the 100 linking verbs listed above and applying them strategically, students and candidates can elevate their performance in competitive exams like SAT, GRE, IELTS, or TOEFL. Whether you’re writing essays, correcting sentences, or speaking confidently, understanding and using linking verbs correctly will set you apart. Practice these verbs in context, and you’ll enhance your grammar, vocabulary, and overall language skills for academic and professional success.

Also Read: Unlocking Indefinite Pronouns: A Complete Guide with 100 Examples for Exam Success

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