Some Verbs Don’t Show Action
 Connect,

or “link”, the subject to a word that
identifies or describes the subject

 EX:
 Is

Ms. Taliaferro is a goddess.

connects Ms. Taliaferro to the word goddess.

 Goddess

identifies Ms. Taliaferro by explaining
who or what she is.
 When

a linking verb connects the subject
to a NOUN, the noun IDENTIFIES who or
what the subject is.

 EX:

Mrs. Almarez is a teacher.

 Ex:

Mrs. Weatherford was
a graduate student.
 When

a subject is “linked” to a noun, the noun
is called a predicate noun.

 It

is called a predicate noun because the noun
comes after the linking verb, which means it’s
part of the predicate of the sentence.
 When

a linking verb connects the subject
with an ADJECTIVE, it DESCRIBES the
subject.

 EX:

Miss Haigler rarely seems tired.

 EX:

The classroom looks clean.
 When

a subject is “linked” to an adjective, it
is called a predicate adjective.

 It

is called a predicate adjective because the
adjective comes after the linking verb,
which means it’s part of the predicate of the
sentence.
 Some

linking verbs are forms of the word “be”,
so they can be called being verbs.

am
is
are
was
were
 These

has been
have been
had been
will be
shall be

may be
might be
can be
should be
would have been

can also be used as helping verbs when
paired with a main verb.
Examples with the being verb “were.”
Linking:
Thelma and Louise were sweet to bring donuts.
predicate adjective

Helping:
Taylor and Jordan were passing the soccer ball.
action verb
 Some

linking verbs can also be used as action
verbs, so the reader has to pay attention to
how the verb is being used in the sentence!

appear
become
feel
taste

grow
look
remain

seem
smell
sound
Examples with the being verb “taste.”
Linking:
Angelina thought the spinach tasted disgusting.
predicate adjective

Note: Spinach doesn’t have taste buds and therefore can’t
perform the action of tasting!

Action:
When I tasted the ice cream, it was surprisingly sour.
direct object (a noun that receives the action)
 Memorize

am
is
are
was
were
appear
become
feel

this list!

has been
have been
had been
will be
shall be
grow
look
remain

may be
might be
can be
should be
would have been
seem
smell
sound
taste
Daisy becomes tired when she stays up too late.
Some of the boys grew frustrated with the project.
Macy was the top student in her senior class.
Occasionally, Bill would be the receiver for his team.

Mainly, the students were good sports about
homework.

Linking Verbs

  • 1.
    Some Verbs Don’tShow Action
  • 2.
     Connect, or “link”,the subject to a word that identifies or describes the subject  EX:  Is Ms. Taliaferro is a goddess. connects Ms. Taliaferro to the word goddess.  Goddess identifies Ms. Taliaferro by explaining who or what she is.
  • 3.
     When a linkingverb connects the subject to a NOUN, the noun IDENTIFIES who or what the subject is.  EX: Mrs. Almarez is a teacher.  Ex: Mrs. Weatherford was a graduate student.
  • 4.
     When a subjectis “linked” to a noun, the noun is called a predicate noun.  It is called a predicate noun because the noun comes after the linking verb, which means it’s part of the predicate of the sentence.
  • 5.
     When a linkingverb connects the subject with an ADJECTIVE, it DESCRIBES the subject.  EX: Miss Haigler rarely seems tired.  EX: The classroom looks clean.
  • 6.
     When a subjectis “linked” to an adjective, it is called a predicate adjective.  It is called a predicate adjective because the adjective comes after the linking verb, which means it’s part of the predicate of the sentence.
  • 7.
     Some linking verbsare forms of the word “be”, so they can be called being verbs. am is are was were  These has been have been had been will be shall be may be might be can be should be would have been can also be used as helping verbs when paired with a main verb.
  • 8.
    Examples with thebeing verb “were.” Linking: Thelma and Louise were sweet to bring donuts. predicate adjective Helping: Taylor and Jordan were passing the soccer ball. action verb
  • 9.
     Some linking verbscan also be used as action verbs, so the reader has to pay attention to how the verb is being used in the sentence! appear become feel taste grow look remain seem smell sound
  • 10.
    Examples with thebeing verb “taste.” Linking: Angelina thought the spinach tasted disgusting. predicate adjective Note: Spinach doesn’t have taste buds and therefore can’t perform the action of tasting! Action: When I tasted the ice cream, it was surprisingly sour. direct object (a noun that receives the action)
  • 11.
     Memorize am is are was were appear become feel this list! hasbeen have been had been will be shall be grow look remain may be might be can be should be would have been seem smell sound taste
  • 12.
    Daisy becomes tiredwhen she stays up too late. Some of the boys grew frustrated with the project. Macy was the top student in her senior class. Occasionally, Bill would be the receiver for his team. Mainly, the students were good sports about homework.