1. Adjectives and Adverbs
Mini-lesson #5
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Use of adjectives and adverbs with
linking and sense verbs

2. Adjectives and Adverbs with
Linking Verbs
• Definition of a linking verb
– A linking verb is one that links
or connects a subject and its
complement: He is lucky
(adjective complement). The
verbs most often used as
linking verbs are forms of be
and verbs associated with
our five senses (look, sound,
smell, feel, taste).

3. Adjectives and Adverbs
• What to do with possible
linking verbs
– When the word after the verb
describes the subject and
can be substituted for is, are,
was, or were without altering
the meaning, then the verb is
linking and the word should
be an adjective.
Ms. Morse looked very sympathetic as
she listened to my troubles.

4. Adjectives and Adverbs
• When the word is intended to
describe how the person
responds, not how the person
is or was, then use an adverb,
not an adjective.
Ms. Morse looked very sympathetically
at me as she listened to my troubles.

5. Examples
She doesn’t feel (good/well) about her
promotion.
» She doesn’t feel good about her promotion.
The suspect looked (suspicious,
suspiciously). One of the jurors looked
(suspicious, suspiciously) at him.
» The suspect looked suspicious. One of the jurors
looked suspiciously at him.

6. More Examples
We need to act (quick/quickly).
» We need to act quickly.
We need to act as if we are (quick/quickly).
» We need to act as if we are quick.

7. THE END!
If you have any comments,
questions, or suggestions, please
feel free to call or stop by the
Writing Lab.