Linking verbs. A linking verb links, or joins, a subject with a subject complement (sc), a word or group of words that identifies or describes the subject.

If it identifies the subject, the complement is a noun or pronoun (a single mother). If it describes the subject, the complement is an adjective (patient).

The forms of be, when used as main verbs rather than as auxiliary verbs, are linking verbs (like are in this sentence). Other verbs—such as appear, become, feel, grow, look, make, seem, smell, and sound—can also function as linking verbs, depending on the sense of the sentence.