1. Linking Verbs

2. A linking verb links, or joins, the subject of a sentence (a noun) with another word that identifies or describes it. Linking verbs DO NOT show action.

3. Unlike action verbs, a person cannot “see” linking verbs taking place. Unlike action verbs, a person cannot “see” linking verbs taking place. –Ask yourself: “Can I SEE the ACTION?” –For example:  The fish jumps out of its bowl. (you can SEE the fish jump, so “jump” is an action verb) –Linking verb  The leaves are pretty in the fall. (The verb is ARE, and it links the word “leaves” to “pretty,” but ARE is something you CANNOT see, so it is a linking verb. [You can see the leaves “be” pretty, but the actual verb, ARE, is not seen])

4. Linking Verbs Forms of “to be” are the most common type of linking verb. Forms of “to be” are the most common type of linking verb. Examples of linking verbs: Examples of linking verbs: –am –is –are –was –Were –Be

5. I am sick. (the linking verb “am” links the speaker to the word “sick,” which describes him/her) I am sick. (the linking verb “am” links the speaker to the word “sick,” which describes him/her) Tara is my best friend. (the linking verb “is” links Tara to the word “friend”) Tara is my best friend. (the linking verb “is” links Tara to the word “friend”) Aaron and Sam are late for work. Aaron and Sam are late for work. The dog was tired of chasing its tail. The dog was tired of chasing its tail. The two girls were sports fans. The two girls were sports fans.

6. Other linking verbs look look –You look sleepy. stay stay –The popsicles stay cold in the freezer. taste taste –This milks tastes sour. remain remain –The question remains unanswered. seem seem –This paper seems long. appear appear –The cats appear weak. feel feel –The sun feels warm on my shoulders. grow grow –The flowers grow tall in the summer.

7. Identify the linking verb and tell what words it links. The crowd grew quiet. The crowd grew quiet. –LV is _______ and links ______ to ______. Stone Mountain’s light show is spectacular. Stone Mountain’s light show is spectacular. –LV is _______ and links ______ to ______. Maria’s dog seems sick today. Maria’s dog seems sick today. –LV is _______ and links ______ to _____. Floyd was late for work last night. Floyd was late for work last night. –LV is _______ and links ______ to ______.

8. Time to practice

9. Subject-Verb Agreement The subject of a sentence MUST AGREE with the verb of a sentence. The subject of a sentence MUST AGREE with the verb of a sentence. –Examples:  My dog eat/eats a lot of treats.  The fair is/are my favorite place.  Calories is/are good and bad for you.

10. Rule to Remember Singular subjects need singular verbs. Singular subjects need singular verbs. Plural subject need plural verbs. Plural subject need plural verbs.

11. Singular Subjects Tina Tina The cat The cat That frog That frog List 5 more singular subjects: List 5 more singular subjects: –1. –2. –3. –4. –5.

12. Which linking verbs agree with the singular subjects? Tina (is/are) (were/was) Tina (is/are) (were/was) The cat (is/are) (were/was) The cat (is/are) (were/was) That frog (is/are) (was/were) That frog (is/are) (was/were)

13. Plural Subjects Trains Trains Those frogs Those frogs The chips The chips List 5 more plural subjects List 5 more plural subjects –1. –2. –3. –4. –5.

14. Which linking verbs agree with the plural subjects? Trains (is/are) (was/were) Trains (is/are) (was/were) Those frogs (is/are) (was/were) Those frogs (is/are) (was/were) The chips (is/are) (were/was) The chips (is/are) (were/was)

15. Subject-Verb Agreement Rules to Remember

16. Two [or more] singular nouns joined by and make a plural subject. Mona and Lisa ARE friends. (present) Mona and Lisa ARE friends. (present) Mona and Lisa WERE friends. (past) Mona and Lisa WERE friends. (past) That car and my bike WERE fast. That car and my bike WERE fast. The frog and the dog ARE/WERE fantastic. The frog and the dog ARE/WERE fantastic.

17. When each or every comes before two [or more] singular nouns joined by and, you have a singular subject. Each frog, toad, elephant, rabbit, snake, flower, hippopotamus, and roach IS scary at night. (present) Each frog, toad, elephant, rabbit, snake, flower, hippopotamus, and roach IS scary at night. (present) Every boy, girl, woman, child, man, human, cat, dog, and squirrel WAS glad to see him go. (past) Every boy, girl, woman, child, man, human, cat, dog, and squirrel WAS glad to see him go. (past)