Being Verbs and
Linking Verbs
Some verbs do not show action. They show what the subject is or is
like. Verbs called being verbs show a state of being.
Mr. McDade is the principal.
He seems kind.
He is here.
A being verb is often a linking verb. It
links the subject of the sentence with a
word in the predicate that tells more
about it.
This newspaper feels damp.
It became wet in the rain.
Common Being and Linking Verbs
am
is
are
was
were
seem
be
being
been
become
look
appear
feel
taste
smell
Linking verbs link the subject with a word in the predicate. The word
can be a predicate noun or a predicate adjective. A predicate noun
renames the subject. A predicate adjective describes the subject.
Linking verbs never have a direct object.
PREDICATE NOUNS:
Don is our leader. (Don = leader)
He has become my friend. (He = friend)
PREDICATE ADJECTIVE:
Mrs. Hill was friendly.
She appeared shy to strangers.
Guided Practice
Directions: What is the linking verb in each sentence? What is the predicate
noun or predicate adjective?
Example: The Black Hills are really mountains.
Linking Verb = are
Predicate Noun/Adjective = mountains
1. Thunderhead Mountain is part of the Black Hills.
Linking Verb = ______________________________
Predicate Noun/Adjective = ____________________
2. Someday the mountain top will become a huge statue.
Linking Verb = ______________________________
Predicate Noun/Adjective = ____________________
3. The statue will be a profile of Chief Crazy Horse
Linking Verb = ______________________________
Predicate Noun/Adjective = ____________________
4. Chief Crazy Horse was a Sioux Indian chief.
Linking Verb = ______________________________
Predicate Noun/Adjective = ____________________
5. The statue is rough now.
Linking Verb = ______________________________
Predicate Noun/Adjective = ____________________
Summing Up:



A being verb is a linking verb when it links the subject of a sentence with a
predicate noun or a predicate adjective.
A predicate noun renames or identifies the subject.
A predicate adjective describes the subject.
Independent Practice
Directions: Underline the linking verb. Draw an arrow from the simple subject to
the predicate noun.
Example: The Iroquois were Native American tribes in New York.
The Iroquois were Native American tribes in New York.
1. Five tribes were part of the Iroquois nation.
2. One tribe was the Mohawks.
3. The Mohawks were enemies of another Iroquois tribe.
4. Hiawatha was a powerful chief of the Mohawks.
5. Hiawatha became a peacemaker.
6. Hiawatha was the hero of a poem by Longfellow.
7. This poem is The Song of Hiawatha.
Directions: Underline the linking verb. Draw an arrow from the simple subject to
the predicate adjective.
Example: The chances for peace looked hopeless.
The chances for peace looked hopeless.
1. Hiawatha felt unhappy because of the wars.
2. Peace was important to him
3. Soon the Iroquois became famous for their friendship.
4. Their constitution was useful to other governments.
5. The Iroquois tribes were powerful around 1570.
6. Their power was great for more than one hundred years.