12.3: Linking

We define linking verbs as all verbs (other than be) that are completed by a subject complement—an adjectival or a noun phrase that describes or identifies the subject. Subject complements describe or redefine the subject. Common linking verbs include seem, look, smell, sound, and become.

1. (subject)+(linking verb)+(subject complement [NP or adj.])

   Subject	Linking Verb	Subject Complement [NP or adj.]
   The children	Became	Restless
   The soup	Smells	Delicious
   Marcel	Looks	Like a businessman

   Noun phrases that act as subject complements are often preceded by the preposition “like,” as seen in the third example.

Review Questions

Identify the subject, linking verb, and subject complement (noun phrase or adjective) of each sentence.

1. The taxi driver seemed like a nice man.
2. The inside of the bakery smells delicious.
3. On that day, Francis became a criminal.
4. It sounds like a good idea!
5. Ms. Yeziersky became a schoolteacher.