English Language Arts
Grade 7
15 min
Identify linking verbs, predicate adjectives, and predicate nouns
Identify linking verbs, predicate adjectives, and predicate nouns
What you'll learn
- Identify at least 8 out of 10 linking verbs correctly within sentences provided on a worksheet.
- Distinguish between predicate adjectives and predicate nouns in 5 out of 6 example sentences, explaining the difference based on their function.
- Create 3 original sentences, each containing a different linking verb, a predicate adjective, and a predicate noun, demonstrating understanding of their roles in sentence structure.
- Apply knowledge of linking verbs, predicate adjectives, and predicate nouns to correctly complete a fill-in-the-blank exercise with at least 75% accuracy.
Tutorial Preview
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define linking verbs and distinguish them from action verbs.
Identify common linking verbs in various sentence contexts.
Define and identify predicate adjectives in sentences.
Define and identify predicate nouns (predicate nominatives) in sentences.
Explain the function of subject complements (predicate adjectives and predicate nouns) in a sentence.
Analyze sentences to correctly label linking verbs, predicate adjectives, and predicate nouns.
Ever wonder how some verbs connect the subject to a description instead of showing action? 🤔 Let's uncover the secret life of linking verbs!
In this lesson, you'll learn to identify linking verbs, which connect the subject to words that describe or rename it. You'll also master finding predicate adje...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Linking VerbA verb that connects the subject of a sentence to a word or phrase that renames or describes the subject. It does not show action.The sky *is* blue. (The verb 'is' connects 'sky' to the description 'blue'.)
Predicate AdjectiveAn adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject of the sentence. It is part of the predicate but refers back to the subject.The soup *tastes* delicious. ('delicious' describes 'soup' and follows the linking verb 'tastes'.)
Predicate Noun (Predicate Nominative)A noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject of the sentence. It is equivalent to the subject.My brother *is* a doctor. ('doctor' renames 'brother...
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Key Rules & Conventions
Identifying Linking Verbs
A verb is a linking verb if it connects the subject to a word that describes or renames the subject, and you can often replace it with a form of 'to be' (is, am, are, was, were) without changing the sentence's core meaning.
Common linking verbs include forms of 'to be' (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been) and sense verbs (look, sound, smell, taste, feel) or verbs of state (appear, become, grow, remain, seem, stay, turn) when they are not showing action.
Identifying Predicate Adjectives
If a linking verb is followed by an adjective that modifies (describes) the subject, that adjective is a predicate adjective.
The predicate adjective always answers 'What kind?' or 'How?' about the subject. It never de...
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Challenging
Consider these two sentences: 1. The gardener *looked* angry about the weeds. 2. The gardener *looked* at the weeds angrily. Which statement correctly analyzes the verb 'looked' in both sentences?
A.'Looked' is an action verb in both sentences because it describes something the gardener did.
B.'Looked' is a linking verb in sentence 1, connecting 'gardener' to 'angry.' It is an action verb in sentence 2, showing the physical act of looking.
C.'Looked' is a linking verb in both sentences because it is followed by a descriptive word.
D.'Looked' is an action verb in sentence 1 because 'angry' is an emotion. It is a linking verb in sentence 2 because it connects to a place ('at the weeds').
Challenging
Which of the following sentences does NOT contain a subject complement (either a predicate adjective or a predicate noun)?
A.The answer to the question remains a mystery.
B.After the long day, the hikers seemed exhausted.
C.My sister's favorite hobby is photography.
D.The author wrote a new book about dragons.
Challenging
In the sentence, 'The old map, which was difficult to read, proved essential for our journey,' what is the linking verb and its predicate adjective in the main clause?
A.Linking Verb: was, Predicate Adjective: difficult
B.Linking Verb: proved, Predicate Adjective: essential
C.Linking Verb: was, Predicate Adjective: essential
D.Linking Verb: proved, Predicate Adjective: difficult
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What grade level is "Identify linking verbs, predicate adjectives, and predicate nouns"?
Identify linking verbs, predicate adjectives, and predicate nouns is a Grade 7 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Identify linking verbs, predicate adjectives, and predicate nouns?
You'll be able to: Identify at least 8 out of 10 linking verbs correctly within sentences provided on a worksheet; Distinguish between predicate adjectives and predicate nouns in 5 out of 6 example sentences, explaining the difference based on….
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How many practice questions are included with Identify linking verbs, predicate adjectives, and predicate nouns?
This lesson includes 25 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.