Les Verbes Attributifs – Linking Verbs in French

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Hi everyone!
Today, we’re going to talk about Les Verbes Attributifs, also called Linking Verbs in French.
These verbs don’t describe an action – instead, they connect the subject to a quality, a state, or an identity.

What is a Linking Verb?

A linking verb links the subject to an attribute, which tells us something about the subject — not about what they do, but what they are or seem to be.

Structure:

– Subject + Linking Verb + Attribute of the Subject

Example:

Paul est gentil. Paul is kind.

– The verb to be (être) connects Paul to kind (gentil).

The Main Linking Verbs in French

Here are the most common attributive verbs you need to know:

1. Être – to be
– Marie est heureuse. – Marie is happy.

2. Paraître – to appear
– Elle paraît fatiguée. – She appears tired.

3. Devenir – to become
– Il devient médecin. – He becomes a doctor.

4. Rester – to remain / stay
– Ils restent calmes. – They stay calm.

5. Avoir l’air – to seem / to look
– Tu as l’air content. – You look happy.

6. Sembler – to seem
– Cela semble difficile. – That seems difficult.

7. Passer pour – to be considered as
– Il passe pour un héros. – He’s considered a hero.

8. Demeurer – to remain
– Elle demeure tranquille. – She remains calm.

How to Recognize a Linking Verb

Here’s a simple trick to Recognize a Linking Verb
If you can replace the verb with “être” and the sentence still makes sense – it’s probably a linking verb.

Example:

Devenir: Il devient furieux – Il est furieux (makes sense, it is a linking verb)
Manger: Il mange furieux – Il est furieux (doesn’t make sense, it is not a linking verb)

A Linking Verb connects the subject to a state, quality, or identity example
An Action Verb describes an action example

Function	Description	Example
Linking Verb	connects the subject to a state, quality, or identity	Elle est médecin – She is a doctor
Action Verb	describes an action	Elle travaille comme médecin – She works as a doctor