Classification of Words / 407To determine whether these 11 verbs are linking or action verbs, substitute
some form of to be (is, am, are, was, were, be, been, or being) for any one of
them. If the substitution makes sense, that verb is linking.
She remained calm.
She was calm.
A form of to be makes sense, so remained is a linking verb.Note that a form of to be can substitute for other verbs that will not be linking.
The group stood on the corner.
The group was on the corner.But stood is not one of the 11 linking verbs listed earlier.
To know whether a verb is a linking verb followed by a predicate word or whether
it’s a verb phrase, insert the word very. If very makes sense, the verb is a linking verb
with a predicate word.
The gymnast was [very] dedicated to his sport.If very does not work, it’s a verb phrase.
The memorial service was [very] dedicated to the survivors.ADjECTIVES
An adjective describes or modifies a noun.
An adjective’s function is to answer one of these questions about a noun:
Which one?
The yard pond sported blooming lilies.
(Yard describes which pond.)
What kind?
The yard pond sported blooming lilies.
(Blooming describes what kind of lilies.)
How many?
The yard pond sported three blooming lilies.
(Three tells how many lilies.)