1. Patterns 4 & 5 use Linking Verbs
Similar to the verb “be”
Do not show an action
Can be replaced with an “=“ sign
What do they show?
A relationship between the subject and the complement
Connects or links the subject with more information

2. True Linking Verbs Never describe the action
Always connect the subject to additional information.
Most common:
“to be”
“to become”
“to seem”

3. Forms of “to be” Am Is Are Was Were Was being Are being Is being Has
Has been
Have been
Will have been
Had been
Might have been

4. Forms of “to Become” Become Becomes Became Has become Have become
Had become
Will become
Will have become

5. Forms of “to seem” Seemed Seeming Seems Has seemed Have seemed
Had seemed
Will seem

6. Determining Other Linking verbs
Many verbs can function as an action and a linking verb.
Generally seen in verbs that reflect the 5 senses
Examples:
Grow, look, prove, remain, smell, sound, taste, turn, stay, get, appear, feel

7. Linking verb Test
If it is not a True Linking Verb, you can test to see if it is being used to connect ideas or as an action.
Test 1: Replace the verb with an = sign
The tree grows tall.
The tree = tall.
If you are unsure of this method, try method 2.
Test 2: Replace the verb with a matching form of “to be”
School lunch tastes terrible.
School lunch is terrible.