LINKING & BEING VERBS

Some Verbs Don’t Show Action

LINKING VERBS

Connect, or “link”, the subject to a word that identifies or describes the subject

EX: Ms. Taliaferro is a goddess.

Is connects Ms. Taliaferro to the word goddess.

Goddess identifies Ms. Taliaferro by explaining who or what she is.

IDENTIFYING

When a linking verb connects the subject to a NOUN, the noun IDENTIFIES who or what the subject is.

EX: Mrs. Almarez is a teacher.

Ex: Mrs. Weatherford was a graduate student.

IDENTIFYING

When a subject is “linked” to a noun, the noun is called a predicate noun.

It is called a predicate noun because the noun comes after the linking verb, which means it’s part of the predicate of the sentence.

DESCRIBING

When a linking verb connects the subject with an ADJECTIVE, it DESCRIBES the subject.

EX: Miss Haigler rarely seems tired.

EX: The classroom looks clean.

DESCRIBING

When a subject is “linked” to an adjective, it is called a predicate adjective.

It is called a predicate adjective because the adjective comes after the linking verb, which means it’s part of the predicate of the sentence.

LINKING VERBS: “BE” Some linking verbs are forms of the word “be”,

so they can be called being verbs.

am has been may beis have been might beare had been can bewas will be should bewere shall be would have been

These can also be used as helping verbs when paired with a main verb.

LINKING VS. HELPINGExamples with the being verb “were.”

Linking:Thelma and Louise were sweet to bring donuts. predicate adjective

Helping:Taylor and Jordan were passing the soccer ball. action verb

MORE LINKING VERBS

Some linking verbs can also be used as action verbs, so the reader has to pay attention to how the verb is being used in the sentence!

appear grow seem become look smell feel remain sound taste

LINKING VS. ACTIONExamples with the being verb “taste.”

Linking:Angelina thought the spinach tasted disgusting. predicate adjective

Note: Spinach doesn’t have taste buds and therefore can’t

perform the action of tasting!

Action:When I tasted the ice cream, it was surprisingly sour. direct object (a noun that receives the action)

COMMON LINKING VERBS Memorize this list!

am has been may beis have been might beare had been can bewas will be should bewere shall be would have beenappear grow seem become look smell feel remain sound taste

SAMPLE PRACTICEDaisy becomes tired when she stays up too late.

Some of the boys grew frustrated with the project.

Macy was the top student in her senior class.

Occasionally, Bill would be the receiver for his team.

Mainly, the students were good sports about homework.