Download Linking Verbs

Linking Verbs
The great equals sign of sentences
Let’s Review
• Action verbs tell us what the
subject is doing
• Action verbs sometimes have
objects that receive the action of
the subject
• Action verbs can be found by
asking the question, “Can I…?”
What Are Linking Verbs?
• Linking verbs act as an equals (=)
sign in the sentence.
• The subject is not doing anything.
Instead, it is or is like something
else in the sentence
• Linking verbs tell us that the
subject has a word in the
predicate that renames it (a noun)
or describes it (an adjective)
• In other words, they are equal
Examples of Linking Verbs
• Linking verbs include the forms
of the verb to be
– is, am , was, were, are, be, being,
been
• Linking verbs are also related to
the senses
– tastes, smells, looks, feels,
sounds, seems, and more
Linking Verbs in Action
• Get ready for some sentences
that use linking verbs
• In each, I’ll add arrows that
show which words are linked, or
equal, in the sentence
Linking Verbs in Action
Mrs. Laird is the subject
Mr. Noel is the new teacher in the school.
Here is the linking verb
Linking Verbs in Action
Mr. Noel is the new teacher in the school.
Think of the linking verb as
an equals (=) sign
Linking Verbs in Action
Mr. Noel is the new teacher in the school.
Mr. Noel equals what?
Teacher is a noun in the predicate
that renames the subject, so we
call it a predicate nominative or
predicate noun.
Important Note!
• A linking verb will always have
a word in the predicate that it
links to the subject
• Always
• Yes, always
• Let’s see how linking verbs
work in some sentences
Linking Verbs in Action
Predicate
Adjective
Subject
The trees are beautiful in the fall.
Linking Verb
The verb are links an
adjective in the predicate
with the subject
Linking Verbs in Action
Predicate
Adjective
Subject
The play was exciting.
Linking Verb
The verb was links an
adjective in the predicate
with the subject
Linking Verbs in Action
Subject
Predicate
Adjective
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
Linking Verb
The verb seemed links a
noun in the predicate with
the subject
You Try It!
• I’ll give you a sentence and you
find the linking verb.
You Try It!
Find the linking verb.
Ice cream is my favorite dessert.
Next Question
YES!
Oh NO!
You Try It!
Find the linking verb.
The water tastes funny.
Next Question
You Try It!
Find the linking verb.
The report cards were terrible.
Next Question
You Try It!
Find the linking verb.
The couple seems pleasant.
Next Question
You Try It!
Find the linking verb.
We were delicious with joy.
Next Question
Need Another Clue
• There is a way to find out if the
word you are looking at is a
linking verb or not
• Are you ready to find out what it
is?
• It’s kind of sneaky
• Sure you’re ready?
Substitution
• If you can substitute is, am, or
are for the word you think is a
linking verb, and the sentence
still makes sense…you are
probably right!
• Let’s try that before we quit
Is, Am, Are
• Here is a sentence
The pie smells delicious
If we think smells is a
linking verb, let’s
substitute one of our
words and see if it still
makes sense
Is, Am, Are
• Here is a sentence
The pie is delicious
The sentence still makes
sense, so smells is a
linking verb
Let’s Re-Cap
• Linking verbs act as equal (=) signs
between a noun in the subject and a
noun or adjective
• Linking verbs do NOT show action
• Linking verbs tell us that something
is or is like something else
• We can substitute is, am, or are to
see if a verb is linking
Your Turn!
Draw the chart on your paper.
Subject
Linking
Verb
Predicate
Nominative
Predicate
Adjective
Your Turn!
May is a poet.
Your Turn!
Subject
Linking
Verb
Predicate
Nominative
May
is
poet
Predicate
Adjective
Your Turn!
Her poems seem beautiful to us.
Your Turn!
Subject
Linking
Verb
Predicate
Nominative
May
is
poet
Poems
Seem
Predicate
Adjective
beautiful
Your Turn!
Chuck's favorite place is a forest.
Your Turn!
Subject
Linking
Verb
Predicate
Nominative
May
is
poet
Poems
Seem
place
is
Predicate
Adjective
beautiful
forest
Your Turn!
These flowers are lovely.
Your Turn!
Subject
Linking
Verb
Predicate
Nominative
May
is
poet
Poems
Seem
place
is
flowers
are
Predicate
Adjective
beautiful
forest
lovely
Your Turn!
That tree was an oak.
Your Turn!
Subject
Linking
Verb
Predicate
Nominative
May
is
poet
Poems
Seem
place
is
flowers
are
tree
was
Predicate
Adjective
beautiful
forest
lovely
oak
Your Turn!
The beavers were busy.
Your Turn!
Subject
Linking
Verb
Predicate
Nominative
May
is
poet
Poems
Seem
place
is
flowers
are
tree
was
beavers
were
Predicate
Adjective
beautiful
forest
lovely
oak
busy
Your Turn!
The forest is a peaceful place.
Your Turn!
Subject
Linking
Verb
Predicate
Nominative
May
is
poet
Poems
Seem
place
is
flowers
are
tree
was
beavers
were
forest
is
Predicate
Adjective
beautiful
forest
lovely
oak
busy
place
Your Turn!
This strange colorful butterfly looks
scarlet.
Your Turn!
Subject
Linking
Verb
Predicate
Nominative
May
is
poet
Poems
Seem
place
is
flowers
are
tree
was
beavers
were
forest
is
butterfly
looks
Predicate
Adjective
beautiful
forest
lovely
oak
busy
place
scarlet
Your Turn!
The air in the cave feels damp.
Your Turn!
Subject
Linking
Verb
Predicate
Nominative
Predicate
Adjective
May
is
poet
Poems
Seem
place
is
flowers
are
tree
was
beavers
were
forest
is
butterfly
looks
scarlet
air
feels
damp
beautiful
forest
lovely
oak
busy
place