Linking VerbsLinking Verbs

A A linking verblinking verb links, or links, or joins, the subject of a joins, the subject of a

sentence (a noun) with sentence (a noun) with another word that another word that

identifies or describes it. identifies or describes it. Linking verbs Linking verbs DO NOT DO NOT

show action.show action.

Unlike Unlike action verbs, action verbs, a person cannot a person cannot “see” “see” linking verbs linking verbs taking place.taking place.

– Ask yourself: “Can I SEE the ACTION?”Ask yourself: “Can I SEE the ACTION?”– For example:For example:

The fish The fish jumpsjumps out of its bowl. (you can SEE the fish out of its bowl. (you can SEE the fish jump, so “jump” is an jump, so “jump” is an action verbaction verb))

– Linking verbLinking verb The leaves are pretty in the fall. (The verb is ARE, The leaves are pretty in the fall. (The verb is ARE,

and it links the word “leaves” to “pretty,” but ARE is and it links the word “leaves” to “pretty,” but ARE is something you CANNOT see, so it is a something you CANNOT see, so it is a linking verblinking verb. . [You can see the leaves “be” pretty, but the actual [You can see the leaves “be” pretty, but the actual verb, ARE, is not seen])verb, ARE, is not seen])

Linking VerbsLinking Verbs

Forms of “to be” are the most Forms of “to be” are the most common type of linking verb.common type of linking verb.

Examples of linking verbs:Examples of linking verbs:– amam – isis – areare – waswas – WereWere– BeBe

I I am am sick. (the linking verb “am” links sick. (the linking verb “am” links the speaker to the word “sick,” which the speaker to the word “sick,” which describes him/her)describes him/her)

Tara Tara isis my best friend. (the linking my best friend. (the linking verb “is” links Tara to the word verb “is” links Tara to the word “friend”)“friend”)

Aaron and Sam Aaron and Sam areare late for work. late for work. The dog The dog waswas tired of chasing its tail. tired of chasing its tail. The two girls The two girls werewere sports fans. sports fans.

Other linking verbsOther linking verbs

looklook– You You looklook sleepy. sleepy.

staystay– The popsicles The popsicles staystay cold cold

in the freezer.in the freezer. tastetaste

– This milks This milks tastestastes sour. sour. remainremain

– The question The question remainsremains unanswered.unanswered.

seemseem – This paper This paper seemsseems long. long.

appearappear– The cats The cats appearappear weak. weak.

feelfeel– The sun The sun feelsfeels warm on warm on

my shoulders.my shoulders. growgrow

– The flowers The flowers growgrow tall in tall in the summer.the summer.

Identify the linking verb and Identify the linking verb and tell what words it links.tell what words it links.

The crowd grew quiet. The crowd grew quiet. – LV is _______ and links ______ to ______.LV is _______ and links ______ to ______.

Stone Mountain’s light show is Stone Mountain’s light show is spectacular.spectacular.– LV is _______ and links ______ to ______.LV is _______ and links ______ to ______.

Maria’s dog seems sick today.Maria’s dog seems sick today.– LV is _______ and links ______ to _____.LV is _______ and links ______ to _____.

Floyd was late for work last night.Floyd was late for work last night.– LV is _______ and links ______ to ______.LV is _______ and links ______ to ______.

Time to practiceTime to practice

Subject-Verb AgreementSubject-Verb Agreement

The The subject subject of a sentence MUST of a sentence MUST AGREE with the AGREE with the verb verb of a sentence.of a sentence.– Examples:Examples:

My dog eat/eats a lot of treats.My dog eat/eats a lot of treats. The fair is/are my favorite place.The fair is/are my favorite place. Calories is/are good and bad for you.Calories is/are good and bad for you.

Rule to RememberRule to Remember

Singular subjects need singular Singular subjects need singular verbs.verbs.

Plural subject need plural verbs.Plural subject need plural verbs.

Singular SubjectsSingular Subjects

Tina Tina The catThe cat That frogThat frog List 5 more singular subjects:List 5 more singular subjects:

– 1.1.– 2.2.– 3.3.– 4.4.– 5.5.

Which linking verbs agree Which linking verbs agree with the singular subjects?with the singular subjects?

Tina (is/are) (were/was)Tina (is/are) (were/was)

The cat (is/are) (were/was)The cat (is/are) (were/was)

That frog (is/are) (was/were)That frog (is/are) (was/were)

Plural SubjectsPlural Subjects

TrainsTrains Those frogsThose frogs The chipsThe chips List 5 more plural subjectsList 5 more plural subjects

– 1.1.– 2.2.– 3.3.– 4.4.– 5.5.

Which linking verbs agree Which linking verbs agree with the plural subjects?with the plural subjects?

Trains (is/are) (was/were)Trains (is/are) (was/were)

Those frogs (is/are) (was/were)Those frogs (is/are) (was/were)

The chips (is/are) (were/was)The chips (is/are) (were/was)

Subject-Verb Subject-Verb Agreement Rules to Agreement Rules to

RememberRemember

Two [or more] singular nouns Two [or more] singular nouns joined by joined by andand make a make a pluralplural

subject.subject. Mona and Lisa Mona and Lisa AREARE friends. (present) friends. (present) Mona and Lisa Mona and Lisa WERE WERE friends. (past)friends. (past)

That car and my bike That car and my bike WEREWERE fast. fast.

The frog and the dog The frog and the dog ARE/WEREARE/WERE fantastic.fantastic.

When When eacheach or or everyevery comes before two [or comes before two [or more] singular nouns joined by more] singular nouns joined by andand, you , you

have a have a singularsingular subject. subject.

Each frog, toad, elephant, rabbit, Each frog, toad, elephant, rabbit, snake, flower, hippopotamus, and snake, flower, hippopotamus, and roach roach IS IS scary at night. (present)scary at night. (present)

Every boy, girl, woman, child, man, Every boy, girl, woman, child, man, human, cat, dog, and squirrel human, cat, dog, and squirrel WASWAS glad to see him go. (past)glad to see him go. (past)