1. Linking Verbs
The great equals sign of sentences

2. Let’s Review
• Action verbs tell us what the
subject is doing
• Action verbs sometimes have
objects that receive the action
of the subject
• Action verbs can be found by
asking the question, “Can I…?”

3. What Are Linking Verbs?
• Linking verbs act as an equals (=)
sign in the sentence.
• The subject is not doing anything.
Instead, it is or is like something
else in the sentence
• Linking verbs tell us that the
subject has a word in the
predicate that renames it (a noun)
or describes it (an adjective)
• In other words, they are equal

4. Examples of Linking Verbs
• Linking verbs include the forms
of the verb to be
– is, am , was, were, are, be, being,
been
• Linking verbs are also related to
the senses
– tastes, smells, looks, feels,
sounds, seems, and more

5. Linking Verbs in Action
• Get ready for some sentences
that use linking verbs
• In each, I’ll add arrows that
show which words are linked, or
equal, in the sentence

6. Linking Verbs in Action
Mr. Childers is the nicest teacher in the school.
Here is the linking verb
Mr. Childers is the subject

7. Linking Verbs in Action
Mr. Childers is the nicest teacher in the school.
Think of the linking verb as
an equals (=) sign

8. Linking Verbs in Action
Mr. Childers is the nicest teacher in the school.
Mr. Childers equals what?
Teacher is a noun in the
predicate that renames the
subject, so we call it a predicate
nominative

9. Important Note!
• A linking verb will always have
a word in the predicate that it
links to the subject
• Always
• Yes, always
• Let’s see how linking verbs
work in some sentences

10. Linking Verbs in Action
The trees are beautiful in the fall.
Linking Verb
Subject
Predicate
Adjective
The verb are links an
adjective in the predicate
with the subject

11. Linking Verbs in Action
The play was exciting.
Linking Verb
Subject
Predicate
Adjective
The verb was links an
adjective in the predicate
with the subject

12. Linking Verbs in Action
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
Linking Verb
Subject
Predicate
Adjective
The verb seemed links a
noun in the predicate with
the subject

13. You Try It!
• I’ll give you a sentence and you
find the linking verb
• You will need to use your
mouse pointer to click on the
word of your choice, so move
your mouse around now to
make sure you can see it.
• Ready?
• Go!

14. You Try It!
Ice cream is my favorite dessert.

15. YES!

16. Oh NO!

17. You Try It!
This water tastes funny.

18. YES!

19. Oh NO!

20. You Try It!
The report cards were terrible.

21. YES!

22. Oh NO!

23. You Try It!
That couple seems pleasant.

24. YES!

25. Oh NO!

26. You Try It!
We were delirious with joy!

27. YES!

28. Oh NO!

29. Need Another Clue
• There is a way to find out if the
word you are looking at is a
linking verb or not
• Are you ready to find out what it
is?
• It’s kind of sneaky
• Sure you’re ready?

30. Substitution
• If you can substitute is, am, or
are for the word you think is a
linking verb, and the sentence
still makes sense…you are
probably right!
• Let’s try that before we quit

31. Is, Am, Are
• Here is a sentence
The pie smells delicious
If we think smells is a
linking verb, let’s
substitute one of our
words and see if it still
makes sense

32. Is, Am, Are
• Here is a sentence
The pie is delicious
The sentence still makes
sense, so smells is a
linking verb

33. Is, Am, Are
• Now let’s try one that doesn’t
work
The meatloaf smells like it is overcooked.
We still have smells as a
verb
Let’s substitute again

34. Is, Am, Are
The meatloaf is like it is overcooked.
This time is doesn’t make
sense, so the verb is not a
linking verb

35. Let’s Re-Cap
• Linking verbs act as equal (=) signs
between a noun in the subject and a
noun or adjective
• Linking verbs do NOT show action
• Linking verbs tell us that something
is or is like something else
• We can substitute is, am, or are to
see if a verb is linking

36. Try It Online
• To further check your
understanding of linking verbs
click here to take an online quiz.
• To study more about linking
verbs, check out this website.