Linking Verbs

What is a linking verb? Linking verbs get their name because they link the subject of the sentence with information about it. PREDICATE SUBJECT

Some linking verbs are called state of being verbs. There are 8 state of being verbs: am, are, is was, were, be, being, been You will need to remember all 8 state of being verbs!

Forms of Be am, is, are, was were am being is being are being was being were being Jane is a great mom. The dog is being taken to the vet. The cake was delicious

The teacher is tall. In the first sentence, is links the teacher to information about her-the fact that she is tall. That is her state of being.

Forms of Be can be I should be hungry. We will be victorious! could be may be might be must be shall be should be will be would be I should be hungry. We will be victorious! You must be sad.

Forms of Be I could have been robbed! She has been lost. had been could have been may have been might have been must have been shall have been should have been will have been would have been I could have been robbed! She has been lost. The cat may have been abandoned.

This candy tastes so sweet. In the second sentence, tastes links candy to information about it—its sweetness. Did you think taste was an action verb? Well, it is—when the subject is doing the tasting. But here, the candy isn't doing any tasting. The candy itself tastes sweet. That is its state of being.

This candy tastes so sweet. Ahhh…so there are more linking verbs than just the 8 state of being verbs. appear seem become smell feel sound grow stay look taste remain turn

Other Linking Verbs... Hmm…some of these could be action verbs, too…we will need to know how to tell the difference! appear seem become smell feel sound grow stay look taste remain turn

Other Linking Verbs My mom feels happy. The candy tastes wonderful. appear become feel grow look remain seem smell sound stay taste turn My mom feels happy. The candy tastes wonderful. My dad sounds mad.

Here’s an easy way to tell!! If you can replace with word with is, am, or are, and it still makes sense…it is a linking verb! Let’s try: George felt sad. George is sad. …Yep, it’s a linking verb!!!

Let’s try it again. Remember, if you can replace with word with is, am, or are, and it still makes sense…it is a linking verb! My dinner tastes yummy. My dinner is yummy. …Yep, it’s a linking verb!!!

Let’s try it again – uno mas. Remember, if you can replace with word with is, am, or are, and it still makes sense…it is a linking verb! The girl smelled the pizza. The girl is the pizza. …Nope, it’s NOT a linking verb!!!

Can you tell which are linking verbs? were run will be jump shine skip sing is has drive draw

OOPS! That is an action verb. Try again

Yes! That is a state of being verb. Try another!

Online Verb Games 2Be or Not to Bee Verb Game Doing and Being Verb Sentence Sense Doing and Being Verb Sentence Sense II

Online Verb Games The Linking Verb State of Being Verb Quiz 2Bee or Nottoobee Verb Game Doing and Being Verb Sentence Sense Doing and Being Verb Sentence Sense II Linking Verbs