Linking & Helping Verbs

March 21, 2012Diplomado Level 4

Linking Verbs• Connects the subject to the predicate,

which usually describes OR is a noun that renames the subject.

• Sentence structure:1. subject/linking verb/predicate

adjective2. subject/linking verb/predicate noun

Examples with Predicate Adjective

• The predicate is an adjective (it describes) of the subject• Linking verb – Predicate adjective

• She became angry.• angry describes her

• Amy turned red.• red describes Amy

• I am calm.• calm describes me

Examples with Predicate Nouns

• The predicate RENAMES the subject• Linking verb – Predicate Noun

• George Washington became the first president.• George Washington = The first president

• I am a singer.• I = singer

• Miss Torres is my teacher.• Miss Torres = my teacher

Be careful!!!• Many verbs can be linking AND action

verbs, depending on how they are used in the sentence.

• Example:• The cat looked happy. -> looked = linking

verb• happy describes the cat, so looked is a

linking v.

• The happy cat looked at the ball. -> looked = action verb• what is the cat doing? – LOOKING at the ball

Linking or Action Verbs???

The monkey looked hungry.The monkey looked for food.

I tasted the soup.The soup tasted good.

Linking or Action Verbs???

I grew tired of walking.He grew into a tall man.

Mother appeared at the party.

Mother appeared happy.

Linking or Action Verbs???

The trumpet sounds loud!The trumpet sounded

loudly.

Sometimes used as Linking Verbs

Forms of “to be” used as Linking Verbs

feeltastelooksmellappeargrowremainstayturnseemsoundbecomeprove

isamarewaswerebebeingbeen

Helping Verbs• A verb that connects to the main verb

of a sentence to express action and a complete idea

• Sentence structure:• Subject/helping verb + main verb

• Examples:• We have eaten.

More Examples• Helping verb + Main verb• They are working.• She has been studying all morning.• You will win.• We could shop all day!• We would have been walking if the car

died.

Make your own!•Add a main verb to a helping

verb:• am, is, are• was, were• be, being, been• have, has, had• shall, will• do, does, did• may, must, might• can, could, would, should

Summary• Linking verbs helps the predicate tell

about the subject• I am tall. -> am = linking verb

• tall describes me

• Helping verb aids the main verb in expressing action• I am running. -> am = helping verb

• what AM I doing? -> running

Circle the correct helping verb in each

sentence.1. I (is, am, are) working on my science

fair project. 2. Carlos and Jamal (is, are) arguing

about the game. 3. Mandy (do, does) want to volunteer

for the fundraiser.

1. Jessica (have, has) always gotten good grades.

2. My friend (have, has, had) already left for school when I called.

3. Marcus (was, were) mowing the lawn when I got there.

4. I (have, has, had) to wash the dishes before I can go.

1. I (do, does, did) go to Disneyland last year.

2. We (is, am, are) playing softball on Saturday.

3. My brother (is, am, are) going to be six years old tomorrow.

Is it a linking verb or a helping verb?

1. He is my friend.2. We are eating pizza.3. She will be dressed in a green shirt.4. They should work together.5. Lady Gaga is very famous.6. The crowd seemed content.