The great equals sign of sentences Linking Verbs The great equals sign of sentences

Let’s Review Action verbs tell us what the subject is doing Action verbs sometimes have objects that receive the action of the subject Action verbs can be found by asking the question, “Can I…?”

What Are Linking Verbs? Linking verbs act as an equals (=) sign in the sentence. The subject is not doing anything. Instead, it is or is like something else in the sentence Linking verbs tell us that the subject has a word in the predicate that renames it (a noun) or describes it (an adjective) In other words, they are equal

Examples of Linking Verbs Linking verbs include the forms of the verb to be is, am , was, were, are, be, being, been Linking verbs are also related to the senses tastes, smells, looks, feels, sounds, seems, and more

Linking Verbs in Action Get ready for some sentences that use linking verbs In each, I’ll add arrows that show which words are linked, or equal, in the sentence

Linking Verbs in Action Mr. Childers is the nicest teacher in the school. Think of the linking verb as an equals (=) sign

Linking Verbs in Action Mr. Childers is the nicest teacher in the school. Mr. Childers equals what? Teacher is a noun in the predicate that renames the subject, so we call it a predicate nominative

Important Note! A linking verb will always have a word in the predicate that it links to the subject Always Yes, always Let’s see how linking verbs work in some sentences

Linking Verbs in Action Predicate Adjective Subject The trees are beautiful in the fall. Linking Verb The verb are links an adjective in the predicate with the subject

Linking Verbs in Action Predicate Adjective Subject The play was exciting. Linking Verb The verb was links an adjective in the predicate with the subject

Linking Verbs in Action Predicate Nominative Subject It seemed like a good idea at the time. Linking Verb The verb seemed links a noun in the predicate with the subject

You Try It! I’ll give you a sentence and you find the linking verb Ready? Go!

Ice cream is my favorite dessert. You Try It! Ice cream is my favorite dessert.

YES!

Oh NO!

This water tastes funny. You Try It! This water tastes funny.

YES!

Oh NO!

The report cards were terrible. You Try It! The report cards were terrible.

YES!

Oh NO!

That couple seems pleasant. You Try It! That couple seems pleasant.

YES!

Oh NO!

We were delirious with joy! You Try It! We were delirious with joy!

YES!

Oh NO!

Need Another Clue There is a way to find out if the word you are looking at is a linking verb or not Are you ready to find out what it is? It’s kind of sneaky Sure you’re ready?

Substitution If you can substitute is, am, or are for the word you think is a linking verb, and the sentence still makes sense…you are probably right! Let’s try that before we quit

The pie smells delicious Is, Am, Are Here is a sentence The pie smells delicious If we think smells is a linking verb, let’s substitute one of our words and see if it still makes sense

Is, Am, Are Here is a sentence The pie is delicious The sentence still makes sense, so smells is a linking verb

The meatloaf smells like it is overcooked. Is, Am, Are Now let’s try one that doesn’t work The meatloaf smells like it is overcooked. We still have smells as a verb Let’s substitute again

The meatloaf is like it is overcooked. Is, Am, Are The meatloaf is like it is overcooked. This time is doesn’t make sense, so the verb is not a linking verb

Let’s Re-Cap Linking verbs act as equal (=) signs between a noun in the subject and a noun or adjective Linking verbs do NOT show action Linking verbs tell us that something is or is like something else We can substitute is, am, or are to see if a verb is linking