Verbs

A verb can express an action or a state of being. Action verbs can describe physical action or mental action, such as dance, listen, think, and wish. Linking verbs describe a state of being and include all forms of be and certain other verbs. They connect a noun or pronoun to a word that describes it. Examples: She is smart. He seems unhappy.

Primary linking verbs include the verbs “be,” “become,” “seem,” “appear,” “remain,” “feel,” “look,” “smell,” “sound,” “taste,” “stay,” “grow,” “turn,” and “prove.” Auxiliary linking verbs are also known as helping linking verbs, and they include the verbs “have,” “had,” “has,” “do,” “did,” “does,” “will,” and “would.”

Although in English most being verbs are forms of to be (am, are, is, was, were, will be, being, been), other verbs (such as become, seem, appear) can also function as verbs of being.