1. Action and Linking Verbs
The great equals sign of sentences

2. Action Verbs
A Project LA Activity
jump

3. What is an action verb?
A verb is one of the most important parts of the sentence. It tells the subjects actions, events, or state of being. It is always found in the predicate of a sentence. A verb that shows action is called an action verb.

4. The words are action verbs:
ran
coughed
swallowed
ride
sang
awake

5. Can you find the action verb in each sentence?
The girls danced in the recital.
Our mailman drove a funny car last week.
His teacher wrote the answers on the board.
Alice worked on her homework last night.

6. Answers! The girls danced in the recital.
Our mailman drove a funny car last week.
His teacher wrote the answers on the board.
Alice worked on her homework last night.

7. Present verbs
An action verb that describes an action that is happening now is called a present tense verb.
The bird flies through the sky.
Flies is a present tense verb because it is happening right now.

8. Many present tense verbs end with s, but some end with es, or ies.
cries
sleeps
splashes

9. Past Verbs
Verbs which tell about actions which happened some time ago are past tense verbs.
The dog wanted a bone.
Wanted is a past tense verb because the action has already happened.

10. Many past tense verbs end with ed, but some end with d, or ied.
tried
clapped
played

11. Future Verbs
Verbs which tell about actions which are going to happen are future tense verbs.
We will awaken at six a.m.
Will awaken is a future tense verb because the action has not yet happened.

12. Future tense verbs
Future tense verbs use special words to talk about things that will happen: will, going to, shall, aim to, etc.
going to start
will enjoy
shall

13. Helping Verbs Elmer was using the computer.
A helping verb works with a main verb to help you understand what action is taking place.
Elmer was using the computer.

14. 23 Helping Verbs may might must be being been am are is was were
(main)
do does did
should could would
have had has
will can shall

15. Other things to keep in mind:
Helping Verbs
Other things to keep in mind:
Not every sentence will have a helping verb with the main verb.
When you see an "ing" verb such as "running", be on the lookout for a helping verb also.

16. Helping Verbs
Sometimes there is another word which separates the helping verb from the main verb. One common example is "not", as in: The boy couldn't find his socks. The helping verb is could and the main verb is find.

17. Helping Verbs
A sentence may contain up to three helping verbs to the main verb. An example would be: The dog must have been chasing the cat. The helping verbs are: must, have, and been; the main verb is chasing.

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. Linking Verbs in Action
Mr. Childers is the subject
Mr. Childers is the nicest teacher in the school.
Here is the linking verb

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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

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

28. Need Another Clue
Following are a few other ways to figure out if the word is a linking verb.

29. 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

30. 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

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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. Linking Verb Song

36. Linking verb Song Lyrics`
Am, is, are, was, were, has been have been, had been, shall be, will be might have been, should have been, would have been, are the forms of be. Appear, become, seem, look, feel, grow remain, sound, taste, are the verbs we know. They are linking verbs, they are linking verbs, it's so easy that it's absurd.

37. Practice.
In chapter 1 and 2 of your novel “Cat Ate My Gymsuit” write a list of all the action and linking verbs that you can find.
Create a “T-Chart”
Action or linking
Word
Definition