LINKING VERBS

LET’S REVIEW….ACTION VERBS

An action verb tells what the subject of a sentence does.

Example: Ms. Sheftel’s class writes great poetry.

LINKING VERBS

Connect (or LINK) the subject to the predicateThey are the = sign for sentences!

Do not show action, but they express a condition

Examples: Adam is feeling much better! That math test was really hard. We were going to work on our puzzles today, but

we have to learn about linking verbs instead. The air freshener smells great.

TRUE LINKING VERBS

True linking verbs are always linking verbs:Forms of be:

am, is, being, are, was, were, has, been

Forms of became:become, becomes, became

Forms of seem:seemed, seems, seeming, seem

VERBS WITH MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES

• Then you have a list of verbs that can be action or linking. It depends on how they are being used in a sentence.– Appear– Feel– Grow– Look– Prove– Remain– Smell– Sound– Taste– Turn

VERBS WITH MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES

How do you tell when they are action verbs and when they are linking verbs?

If you can substitute is, am, or are for the verb and the sentence still sounds logical, you have a linking verb on your hands.

If after the substitution the sentence still doesn’t make sense, you’re dealing with an action verb.

EXAMPLES

Chris tasted the crispy, honey-roasted grasshopper.Chris is the grasshopper? I don’t think

so. In this sentence, tasted is an action verb.

The crispy, honey-roasted grasshopper tasted good.The grasshopper is good. You bet! In

this sentence, tasted in a linking verb.

EXAMPLES

I smell the delicious aroma of the grilled octopus.I am the aroma. I don’t think so!

In this sentence, smell is an action verb.

The aroma of the grilled octopus smells appetizing.The aroma is appetizing. Yep!

Smells is a linking verb.

EXAMPLES

The students looked at the equation until their brains hurt. The students are the equation? Of course not!

Looked in this sentence is an action verb.

The equation looked hopelessly confusing. The equation is confusing. Sure it is! Now

looked is a linking verb!

AND ONE LAST THING…AND ONE LAST THING…

Linking Verbs never have objects. They have predicate nouns and predicate

adjectives…more on this later!

They are ALWAYS intransitive!

LINKING VERB JINGLE BELLS!

Linking Verbs, Linking VerbsLink the subject to the rest.You should learn your linking verbs so you can pass this test!Hey!

Is, Am, Are, Was, Were, Be, Being, Been, Feel,

Taste, Look, Smell,Appear, Grow, Remain, Stay, Turn, Seem, Sound, Become,Prove!