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Mrs. Fleming
Class: ______________________
Date: ________________________
Linking Verbs
A linking verb is: a verb that links a subject with a word in the predicate that renames or
describes it.
George is a monkey. – The word monkey tell us what George is
George is curious.
- The word curious describes George
The most common linking verbs are the forms of the verb be: is, am, were, was, been
being.
Some other common verbs used as linking verbs are: appear, become, seem, feel, grow,
look, remain, smell, sound, taste.
The pickles taste funny.
After a long day, the children grew tired quickly.
Linking verbs are also sometimes called state-of-being verbs, because they don’t show
any kind of action.
*If a verb can be replaced with one of the forms of the verb be (without changing the
meaning of the sentence) – it is probably a linking verb.
The blanket feels soft.
The blanket is soft.
The word in the predicate that describes or renames the subject is called the subject
complement.
There are 2 different kinds:
predicate noun – a noun that renames the subject
predicate adjective – an adjective that describes the subject
To diagram a predicate noun or adjective:
1. Write the predicate noun or adjective on the main line after the verb
2. Separate it from the verb with a slanted line that does not cross the main line
Examples:
Cave explorers are spelunkers.
Some caves are gigantic.
Spelunkers are courageous people.
Dark, damp caves can be scary.