Action & Linking Verbs

What is an ACTION VERB? A verb is one of the most important parts of the sentence. It tells the subjects actions, events, or state of being. It is always found in the predicate of a sentence. A verb that shows action and tells what the subject does is called an action verb.

The words are action verbs: coughed swallowed awake ran rid e sang

Can you find the action verb in each sentence?  The girls danced in the recital. The girls danced in the recital.  Our mailman drove a funny car last week. Our mailman drove a funny car last week.  His teacher wrote the answers on the board. His teacher wrote the answers on the board.  Alice worked on her homework last night. Alice worked on her homework last night. Move On

No, try again.

Yes, that word is an action verb! Try another sentence

What is a LINKING VERB? A linking verb links, or joins, the subject of a sentence with a word or words in the predicate. It helps us tell what the subject is or is like.

Example At one time, John was a champion diver. subject predicate linking verb

Most linking verbs are forms of the verb be such as: am, is, are, was, were, will be, have been, has been, or had been

Other verbs that are similar in meaning are: seem, appear, become, taste, or smell

Locate the linking verb in each sentence… Kitty O’Neil is a remarkable person. She has been deaf since childhood.

Her mother was the person who taught Kitty to read. Kitty’s mother was a Cherokee from Texas. Kitty has always been athletic. Locate the linking verb in each sentence…

What is a PREDICATE NOMINATIVE? A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and identifies or explains the subject. Mr. and Mrs. Moon are teachers. linking verb

Let’s Review… ACTION VERB ACTION VERB: tells what the subject does. The dog jumped over the fence. LINKING VERB LINKING VERB: link, or joins, the subject with a word or words in the predicate that tell what the subject is or like. The skier was tired after skiing all day. PREDICATE NOMINATIVE PREDICATE NOMINATIVE: noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and identifies or explains the subject. They are students.