The Sentence Pattern
Built on Linking Verbs
Lesson 4
Joseph C. Blumenthal
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
•
Suppose that you wish to point out
that your friend Harry is happy.
You would not be likely to say—
Happy Henry
Henry happy
Is either of these pairs of
words a sentence? (yes, No)
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
•
Suppose that you wish to point out
that your friend Harry is happy.
You would not be likely to say—
Happy Henry
Henry happy
Is either of these pairs of
words a sentence? (yes, No)
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a.Happy Henry
b. Henry happy
c.Henry is happy.
Which one of these groups of
words is a sentence?
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a.Happy Henry
b. Henry happy
c.Henry is happy.
Which one of these groups of
words is a sentence?
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a.Happy Henry
b. Henry is happy
The adjective happy by itself
cannot make a statement about
Henry.
We can change a to a sentence
by adding the verb ________.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a.Happy Henry
b. Henry is happy
The adjective happy by itself
cannot make a statement about
Henry.
We can change a to a sentence
by adding the verb ___ is ___.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a.Happy Henry
b. Henry is happy
The verb is helps to turn the
adjective happy into a statement
about the subject ________.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a.Happy Henry
b. Henry is happy
The verb is helps to turn the
adjective happy into a statement
about the subject __ Henry _.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a.Henry washed the car.
b. Henry is happy
Which sentence does not contain an
action verb?
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a. Henry washed the car.
b. Henry is happy
Which sentence does not contain an
action verb? b
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
Henry is happy
The verb is does not show action like
washed or fixed. What does it do?
The verb is ties up or links the
adjective happy with the subject
________, which it describes.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
Henry is happy
The verb is does not show action like
washed or fixed. What does it do?
The verb is ties up or links the
adjective happy with the subject _
__Henry __, which it describes.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
Henry is happy
The verb is does not show action like
washed or fixed. What does it do?
The verb is ties up or links the
adjective happy with the subject
Henry, which it describes.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
Henry was the chairman.
In this sentence, the verb was ties up
or links the noun ________ with the
subject Henry, which it identifies.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
Henry was the chairman.
In this sentence, the verb was ties up
or links the noun chairman with the
subject Henry, which it identifies.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
Henry is happy.
Henry was the chairman.
A verb like is or was is called a linking
verb because it links a noun, pronoun,
or adjective that follows it with the
_________ of the sentence.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
Henry is happy.
Henry was the chairman.
A verb like is or was is called a linking
verb because it links a noun, pronoun,
or adjective that follows it with the
__subject__ of the sentence.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
Be is by far the most common linking
verb. Be sure that you can recognize
its various forms.
FORMS OF BE: is, am , are-was, were, being, been
The crops . . . good.
Which forms of be could be used to
link good with crops in the above
sentence?
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
Be is by far the most common linking
verb. Be sure that you can recognize
its various forms.
FORMS OF BE: is, am , are-was, were, being, been
The crops . . . good.
Which forms of be could be used to
link good with crops in the above
sentence?
are, were, have been, or had been
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
I . . . the first speaker.
FORMS OF BE: is, am , are-was, were, being, been
Which forms of be could be used
to link speaker with I in the
above sentence?
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
I . . . the first speaker.
FORMS OF BE: is, am , are-was, were, being, been
Which forms of be could be used
to link speaker with I in the
above sentence?
am, was, or had been
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
We have seen that some action verbs
make complete statements about their
subjects and that others do not.
a.The engine started.
b.The engine uses . . .
In which sentence does the
action verb make a complete
statement?
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
We have seen that some action verbs
make complete statements about their
subjects and that others do not.
a.The engine started.
b. The engine uses . . .
In which sentence does the
action verb make a complete
statement? a
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
However, a linking verb cannot by
itself make a complete statement
about its subject.
Since the purpose of a link is
to connect two things, a
linking verb must be followed
by a complement that it can
link with the ______ of the
sentence.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
However, a linking verb cannot by
itself make a complete statement
about its subject.
Since the purpose of a link is
to connect two things, a
linking verb must be followed
by a complement that it can
link with the subject of the
sentence.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
The paint was . . . (What?)
Was the paint wet, dry, or sticky?
Until we add a word that the linking
verb was can connect with the
subject, the meaning of the sentence
is (complete, incomplete).
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
The paint was . . . (What?)
Was the paint wet, dry, or sticky?
Until we add a word that the linking
verb was can connect with the
subject, the meaning of the sentence
is (complete, incomplete).
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
The paint was sticky.
The complement sticky describes the
subject _________.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
The paint was sticky.
The complement sticky describes the
subject __ paint ___.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
Now instead of using an adjective to
complete our sentence, we shall use a
noun as our complement.
Angela was…(What?)
Angela was the driver.
The complement driver
completes the meaning of the
sentence and identifies the
subject _________.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
Now instead of using an adjective to
complete our sentence, we shall use a
noun as our complement.
Angela was…(What?)
Angela was the driver.
The complement driver
completes the meaning of the
sentence and identifies the
subject __ Angela __.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
A complement that follows a linking
verb and describes or identifies the
subject is sometimes call a predicate
nominative, predicate adjective, or
subject complement. In this text, we
shall use the term subject
complement. It is called a subject
complement because it describes or
identifies the __________.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
A complement that follows a linking
verb and describe or identifies the
subject is sometimes call a predicate
nominative, predicate adjective, or
subject complement. In this text, we
shall use the term subject
complement. It is called a subject
complement because it describes or
identifies the _subject__.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
The subject complement brings us to
our third sentence pattern:
PATTERN III:
Subject—Linking Verb ← Subject complement
a.A forest ranger guards our forests.
b.A forest ranger’s life is rather
lonely.
Which sentence is an example
of Pattern III?
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
The subject complement brings us to
our third sentence pattern:
PATTERN III:
Subject—Linking Verb ← Subject complement
a. A forest ranger guards our forests.
b.A forest ranger’s life is rather
lonely.
Which sentence is an example
of Pattern III? b
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
Some cameras are very expensive.
The subject complement that follows the
linking verb in this sentence is ________.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
Some cameras are very expensive.
The subject complement that follows the
linking verb in this sentence is expensive.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
FORMS OF BE: am, is, are—was, were, been
Although a form of be can be used by itself
as a linking verb, it is often used as a
helper with the main verb.
a.The leaves are green.
b.The leaves are falling.
In which sentence is are used as a
helper?
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
FORMS OF BE: am, is, are—was, were, been
Although a form of be can be used by itself
as a linking verb, it is often used as a
helper with the main verb.
a. The leaves are green.
b.The leaves are falling.
In which sentence is are used as a
helper? b
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a.The leaves are green.
b.The leaves are falling.
Which sentence contains a subject
complement?
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a.The leaves are green.
b. The leaves are falling.
Which sentence contains a subject
complement?
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a.The fans were cheering.
b.The fans were enthusiastic.
One of the italicized words is part of an
action verb; the other is a subject
complement.
The subject complement is the word
________.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a.The fans were cheering.
b.The fans were enthusiastic.
One of the italicized words is part of an
action verb; the other is a subject
complement.
The subject complement is the
word enthusiastic.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
Be is not the only linking verb. Among
other verbs that can serve as linking
verbs are seem, become, appear,
look, feel, and get (when it means
become).
The candidate appeared cheerful.
The linking verb in this sentence is
________.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
Be is not the only linking verb. Among
other verbs that can serve as linking
verbs are seem, become, appear,
look, feel, and get (when it means
become).
The candidate appeared cheerful.
The linking verb in this sentence is
appeared.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
The animals . . . cold.
Underline the two words that can be used
as linking verbs in the above sentence.
feel
like
look
avoid
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
The animals . . . cold.
Underline the two words that can be used
as linking verbs in the above sentence.
feel
like
look
avoid
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a. The customer feels the material.
b. The weather feels muggy.
You can be sure that a verb is a linking verb
if you can put some form of be (is, am,
are-was, were, been) in its place.
In which sentence can you substitute is for feels?
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a. The customer feels the material.
b. The weather feels muggy.
You can be sure that a verb is a linking verb
if you can put some form of be (is, am,
are-was, were, been) in its place.
In which sentence can you substitute is for feels?
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a. The customer feels the material.
b. The weather feels muggy.
In one sentence feels is used as an action
verb; in the other it is used as a linking verb.
In which sentence is it used as a linking verb?
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a. The customer feels the material.
b. The weather feels muggy.
In one sentence feels is used as an action
verb; in the other it is used as a linking verb.
In which sentence is it used as a linking verb?
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a.The restaurant looked crowded.
b.The speaker looked at his watch.
In which sentence can you substitute was
for looked?
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a.The restaurant looked crowded.
b.The speaker looked at his watch.
In which sentence can you substitute was
for looked?
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a.The restaurant looked crowded.
b.The speaker looked at his watch.
In one sentence, looked is used as an action
verb; in the other, as a linking verb for
which we could substitute was.
In which sentence is looked used as a
linking verb and followed by a subject
complement?
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a.The restaurant looked crowded.
b.The speaker looked at his watch.
In one sentence, looked is used as an action
verb; in the other, as a linking verb for
which we could substitute was.
In which sentence is looked used as a
linking verb and followed by a subject
complement? a
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
We have now studied two kinds of
complements: direct objects and subject
complements. With a little reasoning, we can
avoid confusing the two.
A direct object can follow only an action verb.
A subject complement always follows a
_________ verb.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
We have now studied two kinds of
complements: direct objects and subject
complements. With a little reasoning, we can
avoid confusing the two.
A direct object can follow only an action verb.
A subject complement always follows a
linking verb.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
Usually, the subject and direct object are two
different things, and the action passes from
one to the other.
1--------------------------> 2
The heavy downpour flooded many basements.
The action passes from downpour to
__________.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
Usually the subject and direct object are two
different things, and the action passes from
one to the other.
1--------------------------> 2
The heavy downpour flooded many basements.
The action passes from downpour to
basements.
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
A subject complement, however, always means
the same thing as the subject or describes
the subject. We are dealing with one thing—
not two.
1--------------> 2
a. Mrs. Ford hired a lawyer
1<------------1
b. Mrs. Ford is a lawyer.
The noun lawyer is a subject complement in
sentence (a, b).
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
A subject complement, however, always means
the same thing as the subject or describes
the subject. We are dealing with one thing—
not two.
1--------------> 2
a. Mrs. Ford hired a lawyer
1<------------1
b. Mrs. Ford is a lawyer.
The noun lawyer is a subject complement in
sentence (a, b).
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a.The owner of the restaurant hired a new
cook.
b.The owner of the restaurant is the cook.
In which sentence is the noun cook a subject
complement because it means the same
person as the subject? _________
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a.The owner of the restaurant hired a new
cook.
b.The owner of the restaurant is the cook.
In which sentence is the noun cook a subject
complement because it means the same
person as the subject? _________
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
The owner of the restaurant is energetic.
Because the adjective energetic describes
the subject owner and is not something
apart from it, energetic is a
(subject complement, direct object)
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
The owner of the restaurant is energetic.
Because the adjective energetic describes
the subject owner and is not something
apart from it, energetic is a
(subject complement, direct object)
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a.Otters are animals.
b.Otters are playful animals.
In both sentences, the noun animals is a subject
complement that identifies the subject Otters.
In sentence b, we added the adjective playful to
describe the noun animals.
In sentence b, the subject complement is
(playful, animals)
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
a.Otters are animals.
b.Otters are playful animals.
In both sentences, the noun animals is a subject
complement that identifies the subject Otters.
In sentence b, we added the adjective playful to
describe the noun animals.
In sentence b, the subject complement is
(playful, animals)
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
Do not mistake an adjective that describes
the subject complement for the subject
complement of the sentence.
Otters are playful animals.
The subject complement in this sentence is
(the noun animals, the adjective playful)
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
Do not mistake an adjective that describes
the subject complement for the subject
complement of the sentence.
Otters are playful animals.
The subject complement in this sentence is
(the noun animals, the adjective playful)
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
In the following frames write the
answers on your own sheet of paper
S = Subject
LV = Linking Verb
SC = Subject complement
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
1. This shallow lake often gets
extremely rough.
Fill in the missing words:
S = lake
LV = _______
SC = _______
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
2. Hera was the powerful queen
of the old Greek gods.
Fill in the missing words:
S = Hera
LV = _______
SC = _______
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
3. An officer should feel
responsible for those in his unit.
Fill in the missing words:
S = _______
LV = should feel
SC = _______
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
4. The drunken driver is the
greatest danger on our highways
today.
Fill in the missing words:
S = driver
LV = _______
SC = _______
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
5. The young children in the back
seat were becoming very restless.
Fill in the missing words:
S = _______
LV = _______
SC = _______
The Sentence Pattern Built on Linking Verbs
6. The coach of the other team
was looking worried.
Fill in the missing words:
S = _______
LV = _______
SC = _______
You are done!!!
Please turn in your
answers for points.