English Language Arts
Grade 8
15 min
Identify linking verbs
Identify linking verbs
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define linking verbs and differentiate them from action verbs.
Identify common linking verbs in various sentence structures.
Recognize subject complements (predicate adjectives and predicate nominatives) that follow linking verbs.
Apply a 'substitution test' to confirm if a verb is linking.
Analyze sentences to correctly identify linking verbs and their role in connecting subjects to descriptions or renamings.
Explain the function of linking verbs in conveying a state of being or condition.
Ever wonder how some sentences describe *what* something is or *how* it feels, instead of *what* it does? 🤔 Let's uncover the secret behind these descriptive connections!
In this lesson, you'll learn to identify linking verbs, which are crucial fo...
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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.
Subject ComplementThe word or phrase that follows a linking verb and renames or describes the subject. It can be a predicate adjective or a predicate nominative.She *is* a *doctor*.
Predicate AdjectiveA subject complement that is an adjective and describes the subject by modifying it.He *feels* *tired*.
Predicate NominativeA subject complement that is a noun or pronoun and renames the subject.My brother *became* a *teacher*.
State of Being VerbsA common category of linking verbs, primarily forms of the verb 'to be' (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been), which express existence or a state.They *w...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The 'To Be' Rule
All forms of the verb 'to be' (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been) are always linking verbs.
These verbs connect the subject to a noun, pronoun, or adjective that renames or describes it, indicating a state of existence or identity.
The Substitution Test
If you can replace the verb with a form of 'to be' (is, are, was, were) and the sentence still makes sense and retains its original meaning, the verb is likely a linking verb.
This test is particularly useful for distinguishing linking verbs from action verbs, especially with sensory verbs or verbs like *become, seem, appear, grow, remain, stay*.
No Direct Object Rule
Linking verbs never take a direct object. Instead, they are followed by a subject complement (predica...
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Challenging
Analyze the sentence: 'The politician's speech sounded hollow to the skeptical audience.' Which statement provides the most complete and accurate analysis?
A.'Sounded' is an action verb because the speech is making a sound.
B.'Sounded' is a linking verb connecting the subject 'speech' to the predicate adjective 'hollow', which describes its quality.
C.'Hollow' is a predicate nominative because it renames the speech.
D.'To the skeptical audience' is the subject complement.
Challenging
A student argues, 'A verb is a linking verb only if it can be replaced by 'is' or 'was'.' Why is this an oversimplification and potentially incorrect?
A.The statement is correct; the substitution test is the only rule for identifying linking verbs.
B.It is incorrect because some action verbs can also be replaced by 'is' or 'was'.
C.It is an oversimplification because while the substitution test is a useful tool, the core definition is about connecting a subject to its complement, which applies to verbs like 'become' or 'remain' where substitution might be awkward.
D.It is incorrect because linking verbs can only be forms of 'to be'.
Challenging
Compare the function of 'appeared' in these two sentences: 1. 'A magician appeared on stage.' 2. 'The solution appeared simple.' Which option best synthesizes the difference?
A.In (1), 'appeared' is an action verb indicating arrival; in (2), it is a linking verb connecting 'solution' to its perceived quality, 'simple'.
B.In both sentences, 'appeared' is a linking verb because it describes a state of being.
C.In (1), 'appeared' is a linking verb connecting 'magician' to 'stage'; in (2), it is an action verb because a solution cannot appear.
D.In both sentences, 'appeared' is an action verb because something is being seen.
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