LINKING VERBS A REVIEW 1024 LINKING VERBS Linking

LINKING VERBS: A REVIEW 10/24

LINKING VERBS Linking verbs are verbs that do not show action. They express a state or condition. These verbs link to the subject a noun, a pronoun, or an adjective that describes or identifies the subject. Examples The happy cat | looked for the ball. "Looked" functions as an action verb The cat | looked happy. "Looked" functions as a linking verb. It is the FUNCTION of the verb in the sentence that determines if it is a linking verb.

COMMON LINKING VERBS Forms of to be are sometimes used as linking verbs is am are was were be being been

MORE LINKING VERBS Verbs that are sometimes used as linking verbs feel taste look smell appear grow remain stay turn seem sound become prove

A WAY TO CHECK The linking verb connection between the subject to the noun or adjective is something like an equal sign. She is tall. -- She = tall. If you can substitute am, is, or are and the sentence still sounds logical, you have a linking verb on your hands. Examples I am calm. The be verb am links I and calm. Calm describes my state of being. George Washington became the first president. Became links George Washington and president. Check by saying, George = president, or President George Washington, or substitute the linking verb with a form of "to be“ as in: George Washington was president.

ACTION OR LINKING VERB? The monkey looked hungry. The monkey looked for food. The soup tasted good. I tasted the soup. He grew into a tall man He grew tired of walking. Mother appeared happy at her party. . Mother appeared quietly in the room. The singer appeared nervous. The singer appeared on television.

HELPING VERB CONFUSION A verb phase is made up of a main verb and one or more helping verbs. Helping verbs help the main verb to express action or make a statement. The forms of to be can also be used as helping verbs such as in the following sentence: Terry is looking. In the sentence above, "is" does not function as a linking verb. "Is looking" tells what Terry is doing (the action), not what Terry is being. LINKING OR HELPING VERB? Patricia is watching television. Maria was searching for a new hobby. The golden retriever is friendly. The student could remember the answer. We will walk to the pizza place. Sidney Crosby is awesome at ice hockey.