Linking Verbs with Predicate Words

1. Linking Verbs with Predicate Words

2. Linking Verbs • A linking verbconnects the subject of a sentence with a predicate word that identifies/renames or describes the subject. Mrs. Frey is my English teacher. predicate word linking verb subject

3. Predicate Words A predicate word … • Follows a linking verb • Identifies or renames the subject => predicate nominative (noun/pronoun) • He ismy friend. • Describesthe subject => predicate adjective • He isnice. Linking verb Predicate nominative Linking verb Predicate adjective

4. Sentence Patterns with LVs • S + LV + PN • S + LV + PA Predicate nominatives (PNs) and predicate adjectives (PAs) are called SUBJECT COMPLEMENTS because they always tie back to the SUBJECT in some way! PNs – rename or further identify the subject PAs – describe or modify the subject

5. Linking Verbs • Forms of “be”: am, are, is, was, were, be, being, been • *Senses: look, appear, taste, smell, feel, sound • Others: become, seem, *grow, *stay, *remain, *turn *These verbs can also be action verbs, depending on how they are used in a sentence.

6. LV or AV? • A tip for checking to see if a verb is a linking verb vs. an action verb is to substitute the word is/was or are/were for the verb. • The kitten looks so innocent. • The kitten looks at the bird. Linking verb – can replace with “is” Intransitive action verb – can NOT replace with “is”; the kitten is actually using its eyes to see the bird

7. His face turned red with embarrassment. • Linking verb • Action verb

8. The car turned and went the opposite direction. • Linking verb • Action verb

9. She smelled the flowers. • Linking verb • Action verb

10. The perfume smelled sweet. • Linking verb • Action verb

11. Predicate Nominatives • A predicate nominative always…. • Comes aftera linking verb • Is a noun or pronoun that identifies/renames the subject • Can NOT be in a prep. phrase • Can be compound Examples: • Matthew is a student in my class. • Michele was a member of the club. Linking verb Predicate noun identifying Matthew Predicate noun identifying Michele Linking verb

12. Predicate Adjective • A predicate adjective always…. • Comes aftera linking verb • Is an adjective that describes the subject • Can NOT be in a prep. phrase • Can be compound Examples: • Matthew is very bright in class. • Michele was extremely organized at meetings. Predicate adjective describing Matthew Linking verb Predicate adjective describing Michele Linking verb

13. PNs and PAs You can NOT have both a PA and a PN following the same linking verb! Example: Chocolate ismy favorite flavor. Linking verb Predicate nominative NOT a PA – just a regular ADJ describing the PN “flavor”

14. Finding PNs or PAs Process: • Strip out prepositional phrases. • Find the verb, and determine if it is a linking verb. Remember the “is/am/was/were” test! • Find the subject. • In the predicate (after the LV), look for a noun/pronoun that renames/identifies the subject (PN) or an adjective that describes the subject (PA). Example: • The puppy at the pet store is a hound. • The puppy is a hound. • The puppy is a hound. • The puppy is ahound. subject linking verb Predicate noun (PN) that identifies the subject puppy

15. Let’s Practice! What is the predicate nominative in the following sentence? Mr. Wolgast is the principal at Ferguson Middle School. subject Linking verb Principal is a noun that follows the linking verb is and identifiesWolgast the subject), so it is a predicate nominative!

16. Let’s Practice! What is the predicate adjective in the following sentence? Mr. Wolgast is usually fair with students. subject Linking verb Fair is an adjective that follows the linking verb is and describesMr.Wolgast (the subject), so it is a predicate adjective!

17. A predicate nominative is either a noun or adjective. • True • False

18. A predicate adjective can be in a prepositional phrase. • True • False

19. A predicate nominative and predicate adjective always follow a linking verb. • True • False

20. A predicate nominative describes the subject. • True • False

21. The puppy in the window will be my pet soon! • Predicate nominative • Predicate adjective

22. My sister is my best friend. • Predicate nominative • Predicate adjective

23. The cake looked delicious. • Predicate nominative • Predicate adjective

24. The watch in the catalog looked cheap. • Predicate nominative • Predicate adjective

25. The sculpture was a great work of art. • Predicate nominative • Predicate adjective

26. Let’s Practice! What is the predicate nominative in the following sentence? • boy • smile • friend • mine The boy with the nice smile is a friend of mine. Predicate nominative which further identifies the subject boy

27. Let’s Practice! What is the predicate adjective in the following sentence? • boy • nice • smile • pleasant • me The boy with the nice smile is always pleasant to me. Predicate adjective describing the subject boy

28. Let’s Practice! What is the word sounds in the sentence below? • Transitive action verb • Intransitive action verb • Linking verb The lady at the store sounds angry. Linking verb which connects the PA angry with the subject lady

29. Let’s Practice! What is the word cookies in the sentence below? • PN • PA • DO • IO I ate ten cookies after lunch. DO – noun that answers “what?” after the action verb ate TAV – has a direct object cookies

30. Let’s Practice! What is the word us in the sentence below? • PN • PA • DO • IO You should give us a break for a change! IO – answers “to whom?” after DO break TAV – has a DO break DO – answers “what?” after action verb should give