lesson
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When you hear the word verb, you probably think of jumping, running, or clapping. But what is the verb doing in the sentence: The puppy is tired?
Verbs That Act Like Bridges
A linking verb does not show any physical or mental action. Instead, it connects the subject of a sentence to words that describe or rename it.
The describing or renaming word after the verb is called a subject complement.
📊Interactive diagram
Which linking verbs do we use the most every single day? Let's look at one special family of verbs.
The 'To Be' Verb Family
The most common linking verbs are the state-of-being verbs, which tell how or what a subject exists as right now or in the past.
These include am, is, are, was, and were.
📊Interactive diagram
Can words related to our five senses also build bridges between words? Let's check them out.
Sense and Condition Verbs
Verbs like looks, smells, tastes, feels, and sounds can also be linking verbs when they describe a state rather than an action.