Grammar and Language Workbook

Unit 3, Verbs 81

Copyright © by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

Grammar

Lesson 15

Linking Verbs and Predicate Words

A linking verb connects a sentence’s subject with a noun or an adjective in the

predicate. The predicate word tells what a sentence’s subject is or is like.

An avocado is a fruit. (The linking verb is connects the subject avocadowith

fruit.)

In the sentence above, fruit is a predicate noun. It tells what the subject, avocado,

is. Some sentences have a predicate adjective, an adjective that follows a linking

verb and tells what the subject is like.

This avocado is ripe. (Ripeis a predicate adjective. It tells what the subject

avocado is like.)

COMMON LINKING VERBS

appear become grow seem

am, is, are, was, were feel look taste

 Exercise 1 Draw two lines under the verb in each sentence. Write AVin the blank if

the verb is an action verb. Write LV if it is a linking verb.

LV Dogs are popular pets.

AV 1. Many dogs use their tails for communication.

AV 2. A dog’s tail expresses playfulness or fear.

LV 3. Some dogs’ tails are long and thin.

AV 4. Other dogs have fluffy or curly tails.

LV 5. Dogs are very good smellers.

LV 6. Their noses are extremely sensitive.

LV 7. Certain dogs actually become detectives.

AV 8. They search with their noses.

LV 9. A dog’s hearing is also very strong.

AV 10. Dogs hear many things.

AV 11. Dogs’ ears move in different directions.

LV 12. Dogs seem sensitive to sounds.