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

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 Mrs. Yang is the nicest teacher in the school. Here is the linking verb Mrs. Yang is the subject

Linking Verbs in Action Mrs. Yang is the nicest teacher in the school. Think of the linking verb as an equals (=) sign

Linking Verbs in Action Mrs. Yang is the nicest teacher in the school. Mrs. Yang 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 The trees are beautiful in the fall. Linking Verb Subject Predicate Adjective The verb are links an adjective in the predicate with the subject

Linking Verbs in Action The play was exciting. Linking Verb Subject Predicate Adjective The verb was links an adjective in the predicate with the subject

Linking Verbs in Action It seemed like a good idea at the time. Linking Verb Subject Predicate Adjective The verb seemed links a noun in the predicate with the subject

You Try It! Ice cream is my favorite dessert.

YES!

You Try It! This water tastes funny.

YES!

You Try It! The report cards were terrible.

YES!

You Try It! That couple seems pleasant.

YES!

You Try It! We were delirious with joy!

YES!

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