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.

Here is the linking verb

Mr. Childers is the subject

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

The trees are beautiful in the fall.

Linking Verb

SubjectPredicate Adjective

The verb are links an adjective in the predicate with the subject

Linking Verbs in Action

The play was exciting.

Linking Verb

SubjectPredicate Adjective

The verb was links an adjective in the predicate with the subject

Linking Verbs in Action

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Linking Verb

SubjectPredicate Adjective

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

• You will need to use your mouse pointer to click on the word of your choice, so move your mouse around now to make sure you can see it.

• Ready?

• Go!

You Try It!

Ice cream is my favorite dessert.

YES!

Oh NO!

You Try It!

This water tastes funny.

YES!

Oh NO!

You Try It!

The report cards were terrible.

YES!

Oh NO!

You Try It!

That couple seems pleasant.

YES!

Oh NO!

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

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

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

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

Try It Online

• To further check your understanding of linking verbs click here to take an online quiz.

• To study more about linking verbs, check out this website.