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Recognizing Linking Verbs
By: Lesly Claribell Paz
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
# 1
Some verbs are called linking verbs. A linking verb does not express action; it links a word in the predicate to the subject.
# 1
The patient's forehead felt too warm. (The verb felt links warm to the subject forehead. )
# 2
Our coach's strategy was sound. (The verb was links sound to the subject strategy.)
# 3
# 2
The verbs am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been are forms of the verb "be." These "be" verbs may be used as helping verbs as well as linking verbs.
#1
Stephen was faithful unto death. (The verb was links faithful to the subject Stephen. )
#2
Stephen was preaching the truth to the people. (The verb was helps the verb preaching to show action.)
# 3
Any verb that ends with be or been is a form of the verb «be.»
#1
have been, has been, had been, shall be, will be, might have been, etc.
# 4
The verbs taste, feel, smell, sound, look, appear, become, seem, grow, remain, stay may be used as action verbs as well as linking verbs, depending on the sense of the sentence.
#1
The roast turkey smelled appetizing. (Smelled is a linking verb that links appetizing to the subject turkey.)
#2
We smelled the delightful aroma as soon as we entered the room. (Smelled is an action verb. The subject is performing the action of smelling.)
Practice
Practice
Exercise A
Exercise A
(1) Insert a linking verb in each blank. Use a different verb each time.
(2) Draw an arrow to indicate the word in the predicate that is linked to the subject.
1. Missionaries _____people who tell others about Jesus Christ.
2. The mission field is ______more and more difficult for many missionaries.
Do numbers 5-10. pg.93
Exercise B
Exercise B
(1) At the end of each sentence, write action if the italicized verb shows action; write linking if the verb links.
(2) For the linking verbs, draw an arrow to indicate the word that is linked to the subject.
1. God created the universe in six days. ________
William Shakespeare was an English playwright. _________
Do numbers 9-18. pg.94