1. Action and Linking Verbs World Literature
Lights, Camera, ACTION!
Action and Linking Verbs
World Literature
ELA10C1 The student demonstrates understanding and control of the rules of the English language, realizing that usage involves the appropriate application of conventions and grammar in both written and spoken formats. The student a.   Demonstrates an understanding of proper English usage and control of grammar, sentence and paragraph structure, diction, and syntax. c.   Demonstrates an understanding of sentence construction (e.g., subordination, proper placement of modifiers, parallel structure) and proper English usage (e.g., consistency of verb tenses, agreement).

2. Action Verbs vs. Linking Verbs
Show action or state; they are not linking verbs.
Ralph bought a new car. (action)
Ralph loves his new car. (state)
Linking Verbs
Link subject to a predicate (noun or adjective).
Sam is my brother.
The soup smells good.

3. Common Linking Verbs - To Avoid in your writing
Be: am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been, will be
(overuse = weakens writing style)
shows existence or nonexistence
To be or not to be, that is the question.
shows that something occupies a particular place
The book is on the shelf.
Improved version---The book lies on the shelf.
shows that something takes place ,in happens, or will occur in the future
The meeting is next week.
Improved version---The meeting takes place next week.

4. Linking Verbs & their Complements
Predicate Adjectives
Modifies the subject, follows linking verb
The day was _____.
The cat is ________.
The children were ______.
The soup tasted ________.
Predicate Nominatives (Nouns) –-- Subject = PN
noun following a linking verb that restates or stands for the subject.
She is my _______.
You are my _________.
He became an _______.

5. Linking Verbs & their Complements
Predicate Adjectives
The day was hot.
The cat is scared.
The children were noisy.
The soup tasted weird.
Predicate Nominatives (Nouns) –-- Subject = PN
She is my sister.
You are my students.
He became an actor.

6. Improved Sentences The day was hot.
On the hot day, we swam in the neighbor’s pool.
The cat is scared.
The scared cat jumped on the table.
The children were noisy.
Noisy children play in the park.
She is my sister.
My sister Sarah sulks with me.
You are my students.
We have very smart students in this World Literature class.
He became an actor.
Antonio, an aspiring actor in California, auditions for sitcoms daily.

7. Using the Very test to distinguish between predicate adjectives and verbs (participles)
Problem: Many adjectives are derived from verbs (participles!!) and retain their –ing or –ed/en verb endings. Are they verbs or adjectives?? The students were sleeping. The students were interesting. The report was rejected. The report was stolen. The report was confusing.
Place “very” before each underlined word. Most predicate adjectives can be used with very. Verbs can never be used with very.

8. The Very test – Is it a predicate adjective?
The students were very sleeping.
The students were very interesting.
The report was very rejected.
The report was very stolen.
The report was very confusing.
NO! Verb = were sleeping
Yes. Predicate adjective = interesting
NO! Verb = was rejected
NO! Verb = was stolen
Yes. Predicate adjective = confusing
Do you see any linking verbs to avoid?

9. Identify the linking verb and its complement (predicate adjective or predicate nominative), if applicable. Example: Sam is my brother Sam=my brother
My car is a Toyota.
Holmes remained calm.
The general grew furious.
The dinner was a complete mess.
The children are amusing.
Thanks to his grammar teacher, Leon became a better person.

10. Identify the linking verb and its complement (predicate adjective or predicate nominative), if applicable.
My car is a Toyota.
Holmes remained calm.
The general grew furious.
The dinner was a complete mess.
The children are amusing.
Thanks to his grammar teacher, Leon became a better person.
My car is a Toyota.
Holmes remained calm.
The general grew furious.
The dinner was a complete mess.
The children are amusing.
Thanks to his grammar teacher, Leon became a better person.
Linking verbs to avoid—is, was, are, became

11. Helping Verbs A helping verb modifies a verb in mood or tense
There are three main types: be, have, do
Helping verbs include
can, could, may, might, must, shall, will, would, ought, had better, ought to, would rather, have to, have got to, be supposed to, be able to, used to

12. Identify the helping verb and the main verb in the sentences below
1.) They can go now. 2.) I have finished my homework. 3.) I could swim all day.

13. Identify the helping verb and the main verb in the sentences below
1.) They can go now. 2.) I have finished my homework. Improved version--- I completed my homework. 3.) I could swim all day.
MAIN VERB

14. Identify in the paragraph from The Hunger Games linking verbs- (helping verbs) action verbs
The sky is still dark, but I can feel the first signs of dawn approaching. I am beginning to think we---meaning the person whose death I am now devising and I----we might actually have gone unnoticed. Then I hear it (159).
List the linking verbs to avoid---

15. Identify in the paragraph from The Hunger Games linking verbs- (helping verbs) action verbs
The sky is still dark, but I (can) feel the first signs of dawn approaching. I (am) beginning to think we---meaning the person whose death I (am) now devising and I----we might actually (have) gone unnoticed. Then I hear it (159).
List the linking verbs to avoid---is, am

16. Look at your own papers and highlight the linking verbs to avoid-
to be (is, am, are, was, were, has been, have been, had been,  is being, are being, was being, will have been, etc.)
to become (become, becomes, became, has become, have become, had become, will become, will have become, etc.)
to seem (seemed, seeming, seems, has seemed, have seemed, had seemed, is seeming, are seeming, was seeming, were seeming, will seem)

17. Some Power verbs to use in your paper