Download Linking Verbs - JJ Daniell Middle School

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
Mr. Bobette is the subject
Mr. Bobette is the nicest teacher in the school.
Here is the linking verb
Linking Verbs in Action
Mr. Bobette is the nicest teacher in the school.
Think of the linking verb as
an equals (=) sign
Linking Verbs in Action
Mr. Bobette is the nicest teacher in the school.
Mr. Bobette equals what?
Teacher is a noun in the predicate
that renames the subject, so we
call it a predicate nominative
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 game 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 will need to use your mouse
pointer to click on the word of
your choice, so move your
mouse around now to make
sure you can see it.
• Ready?
• Go!
You Try It!
Ice cream is my favorite dessert.
YES!
Oh NO!
You Try It!
This water tastes funny.
YES!
Oh NO!
You Try It!
The report cards were terrible.
YES!
Oh NO!
You Try It!
That couple seems pleasant.
YES!
Oh NO!
You Try It!
We were delirious with joy!
YES!
Oh NO!
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
Is, Am, Are
• Now let’s try one that doesn’t
work
The meatloaf smells like it is overcooked.
We still have smells as a
verb
Let’s substitute again
Is, Am, Are
The meatloaf is like it is overcooked.
This time is doesn’t make
sense, so the verb is not 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
Try It Online
• To further check your
understanding of linking verbs
click here to take an online quiz.
• To study more about linking
verbs, check out this website.