Module 3, Verbs: Types, Tenses, and Moods, Lesson 2:

Linking Verbs

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Definition: Unlike action verbs, linking verbs show a relationship between the main noun (also called the subject) and another word that describes that noun. The describing word can be an adjective or another noun. The most common linking verb is to be and its forms am, is, are, was, were, be, being, and been.

My cat is furry.
The verb is links the main noun, cat, with a describing word, furry. Furry is an example of an adjective.

My childhood dog was an Akita.
In this sentence, the verb was links the noun dog to another noun, Akita. The second noun tells us the breed of the dog.

Other common linking verbs include appear, become, feel, grow, look, remain, seem, smell, sound, stay, taste, and turn.

If left too long, the milk may turn sour.
I feel refreshed after that nap.
Hint:
Sometimes you may not be sure whether a verb is a linking verb, but there is an easy way to tell: you can replace any linking verb with a form of to be. If the sentence makes sense and has almost the same meaning, you have a linking verb.
The milk may turn be sour.
I feel am refreshed.
Laurie appears is tired.

You'll learn more about this concept in the next lesson.

Practice What You've Learned

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Part 1

Directions:
Click on the linking verbs in each sentence.
1.
Those loud, annoying birds are wild monk parakeets.
2.
My mom is a great cook.
3.
Cigarettes are very bad for your health.
4.
Those pottery dishes are Polish.
5.
You seem more relaxed now.
6.
The bowl of strange, green stuff in the refrigerator smells funky.
7.
The pyramids are an amazing feat of engineering.
8.
If you practice, you may become a champion.
9.
That kitten's fur feels so soft.
10.
That coffee pot was my grandmother's.

Part 2

Directions:
Click only on the verbs that are linking verbs. Do not include helping verbs or action verbs.
11.
I have a cold, and I feel miserable.
12.
These oranges look very bright and taste exceptionally sweet.
13.
That crook conned money from old ladies and grew very rich.
14.
That movie looks good. We should go see it.
15.
These jeans feel too tight. They must belong to my little sister.
16.
The waves crashed on the shore where they felt cool on my hot feet.
17.
Those monsters seem scary, but they won't hurt anyone.
18.
Medieval swords were sharp, so pages used wooden ones for practice.
19.
Romeo and Juliet is my father's favorite play; he has seen it six times.
20.
Kelly's car was blue until she damaged it and had it repainted.
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