Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a complement, which can be a noun, adjective, or adverb. Common linking verbs include “is,” “am,” “are,” “was,” “were,” “be,” “been,” “seem,” “appear,” and “feel.” While linking verbs can be useful for adding detail and description to a sentence, they can also make writing seem passive and less engaging.
There are several ways to avoid using linking verbs in your writing. One way is to use active voice instead of passive voice. For example, instead of writing “The book was read by the student,” you could write “The student read the book.” Another way to avoid linking verbs is to use strong verbs that convey action or state. For example, instead of writing “The sky is blue,” you could write “The sky blazes blue.”
