A linking verb is a verb that links a subject to the rest of the sentence. There isn’t any “real” action happening in the sentence. Sentences with linking verbs become similar to math equations. The verb acts as an equal sign between the items it links.
As the video establishes, to be verbs are the most common linking verbs (is, was, were, etc.). David and the bear establish that there are other linking verbs as well. Here are some illustrations of other common linking verbs:
Practice
Read each sentence and determine whether its verb is a linking verb or not:
As seen in our review of the basic parts of speech, you don't need a thorough knowledge of formal English grammar to become a good writer. However, knowing a few basic grammatical terms should help you understand some of the principles of good writing. Here you'll learn how to identify and use subjects, verbs, and objects—which together form the basic sentence unit.
Subjects and Verbs
A sentence is commonly defined as 'a complete unit of thought.' Normally, a sentence expresses a relationship, conveys a command, voices a question, or describes someone or something. It begins with a capital letter and ends with a period, question mark, or exclamation mark.
The basic parts of a sentence are the subject and the verb. The subject is usually a noun—a word (or phrase) that names a person, place, or thing. The verb (or predicate) usually follows the subject and identifies an action or a state of being. See if you can identify the subject and the verb in each of the following short sentences:
In each of these sentences, the subject is a noun: hawk, boys, daughter, and children. The verbs in the first two sentences--soars, laugh—show action and answer the question, 'What does the subject do?' The verbs in the last two sentences--is, are—are called linking verbs because they link or connect the subject with a word that renames it (wrestler) or describes it (tired).
For additional practice in recognizing these key elements in a sentence, see Exercises in Identifying Subjects and Verbs.
Pronouns
Pronouns are words that take the place of nouns in a sentence. In the second sentence below, the pronoun she stands for Molly:
As the second sentence shows, a pronoun (like a noun) may serve as the subject of a sentence. The common subject pronouns are I, you, he, she, it, we, and they.
Objects
In addition to serving as subjects, nouns may also function as objects in sentences. Instead of performing the action, as subjects usually do, objects receive the action and usually follow the verb. See if you can identify the objects in the short sentences below:
he objects--stones, coffee, iPad—all answer the question what: What was hurled? What was swigged? What was dropped?
As the following sentences demonstrate, pronouns may also serve as objects:
The common object pronouns are me, you, him, her, it, us, and them.
The Basic Sentence Unit
You should now be able to identify the main parts of the basic sentence unit: SUBJECT plus VERB, or SUBJECT plus VERB plus OBJECT. Remember that the subject names what the sentence is about, the verb tells what the subject does or is, and the object receives the action of the verb. Although many other structures can be added to this basic unit, the pattern of SUBJECT plus VERB (or SUBJECT plus VERB plus OBJECT) can be found in even the longest and most complicated structures.
Practice in Identifying Subjects, Verbs, and Objects
For each of the following sentences, decide whether the word in bold is a subject, a verb, or an object. When you're done, compare your answers with those at the end of the exercise.
(1) Mr. Buck donated a wishbone to the Museum of Natural History.
(2) After the final song, the drummer hurled his sticks at the crowd. (3) Gus smashed the electric guitar with a sledge hammer. (4) Felix stunned the dragon with a ray gun. (5) Very slowly, Pandora opened the box. (6) Very slowly, Pandora opened the box. (7) Very slowly, Pandora opened the box. (8) Thomas gave his pen to Bengie. (9) After breakfast, Vera drove to the mission with Ted. (10) Even though it rarely rains here, Professor Legree carries his umbrella wherever he goes.
Answers
1. verb; 2. subject; 3. object; 4. object; 5. subject; 6. verb; 7. object; 8. verb; 9. subject; 10. verb. What Are Linking Verbs? (with Examples)A linking verb is used to re-identify or describe its subject. A linking verb connects the subject of a sentence to the predicate without expressing an action.Infographic Explaining Linking VerbA Video SummaryHere is a short video explaining what we mean by linking verbs.A List of Linking VerbsThe most common linking verb is the verb to be. Other common ones relate to the five senses (to look, to feel, to smell, to sound, and to taste). Here is a list of common linking verbs:
Examples of Linking Verbs Used to Re-identify the SubjectHere are some examples of linking verbs (shaded) re-identifying the subject:
Examples of Linking Verbs Modifying (Describing) the SubjectHere are some examples of linking verbs (shaded) modifying the subject:
Comments are closed.
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |