1. L INKING V ERBS

2. L ET ’ S R EVIEW ….A CTION VERBS An action verb tells what the subject of a sentence does. Example: Ms. Sheftel’s class writes great poetry.

3. L INKING VERBS Connect (or LINK) the subject to the predicate They are the = sign for sentences! Do not show action, but they express a condition Examples: Adam is feeling much better! That math test was really hard. We were going to work on our puzzles today, but we have to learn about linking verbs instead. The air freshener smells great.

4. T RUE L INKING V ERBS True linking verbs are always linking verbs: Forms of be: am, is, being, are, was, were, has, been Forms of became: become, becomes, became Forms of seem: seemed, seems, seeming, seem

5. V ERBS WITH MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES Then you have a list of verbs that can be action or linking. It depends on how they are being used in a sentence. – Appear – Feel – Grow – Look – Prove – Remain – Smell – Sound – Taste – Turn

6. V ERBS WITH MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES How do you tell when they are action verbs and when they are linking verbs? If you can substitute is, am, or are for the verb and the sentence still sounds logical, you have a linking verb on your hands. If after the substitution the sentence still doesn’t make sense, you’re dealing with an action verb.

7. E XAMPLES Chris tasted the crispy, honey-roasted grasshopper. Chris is the grasshopper? I don’t think so. In this sentence, tasted is an action verb. The crispy, honey-roasted grasshopper tasted good. The grasshopper is good. You bet! In this sentence, tasted in a linking verb.

8. E XAMPLES I smell the delicious aroma of the grilled octopus. I am the aroma. I don’t think so! In this sentence, smell is an action verb. The aroma of the grilled octopus smells appetizing. The aroma is appetizing. Yep! Smells is a linking verb.

9. E XAMPLES The students looked at the equation until their brains hurt. The students are the equation? Of course not! Looked in this sentence is an action verb. The equation looked hopelessly confusing. The equation is confusing. Sure it is! Now looked is a linking verb!

10. A ND O NE L AST T HING … Linking Verbs never have objects. They have predicate nouns and predicate adjectives…more on this later! They are ALWAYS intransitive!

11. L INKING V ERB J INGLE B ELLS ! Linking Verbs, Linking Verbs Link the subject to the rest. You should learn your linking verbs so you can pass this test! Hey! Is, Am, Are, Was, Were, Be, Being, Been, Feel, Taste, Look, Smell, Appear, Grow, Remain, Stay, Turn, Seem, Sound, Become, Prove!