Linking verbs, often referred to as copulas or copulative verbs, play a pivotal role in connecting the subject of a sentence with a word or words that provide more information about it. Unlike action verbs, which describe actions, linking verbs do not denote any activity but rather a state of being or a relationship. Mastering the usage of linking verbs can significantly enhance the clarity and flow of your writing. In this blog post, we'll explore five essential worksheets that can help you master linking verbs.
Worksheet 1: Identify and Classify Linking Verbs
The first step in mastering linking verbs is to be able to identify and categorize them. This worksheet is designed to:
- Introduce students to common linking verbs.
- Help distinguish between action verbs and linking verbs.
Instructions:
- Read the sentences below and underline the verbs. Then, decide if each verb is an action verb or a linking verb and write it in the appropriate column of the provided table.
| Statement | Action Verb | Linking Verb |
|---|---|---|
| The cat seems friendly. | seems | |
| She became a doctor. | became | |
| He ran a marathon. | ran |
Worksheet 2: Subject-Complement Matching
This worksheet focuses on ensuring that the subject of a sentence is correctly matched with its complement, a critical aspect when using linking verbs.
Instructions:
- Match each subject from the list to the correct complement using the linking verb 'is' or 'are'.
Subjects:
- Dog
- Students
- Weather
Complements:
- Hot today
- Excited for the holidays
- A loyal companion
🐶 Note: Remember that the complement describes the subject, not an action performed by it.
Worksheet 3: Practice with Sensory and State-of-Being Verbs
Linking verbs also include sensory verbs like “smell”, “taste”, “look”, etc., as well as state-of-being verbs like “appear”, “seem”, and “become”. This worksheet aims to:
- Provide practice with these nuanced linking verbs.
- Help students understand the context in which different verbs are used.
Instructions:
- Fill in the blanks with the appropriate sensory or state-of-being verb.
Sentences:
- The cake ________ delicious.
- The landscape ________ serene.
- The painting ________ really beautiful.
Worksheet 4: Linking Verbs in Context
This worksheet uses full sentences to help students understand how linking verbs fit into the overall structure of English sentences.
Instructions:
- Correct the sentences below where necessary, focusing on the correct use of linking verbs.
Example sentences:
- The dogs bark fierce. -> The dogs are fierce.
- She sounds like she was sad. -> She sounds sad.
✍️ Note: Sometimes, linking verbs can be implied or replaced by action verbs in casual speech, but formal writing often requires precision.
Worksheet 5: Advanced Linking Verb Construction
For those looking to master linking verbs at a more advanced level, this worksheet:
- Explores constructions that include linking verbs in complex sentences.
- Enhances understanding of how linking verbs interact with other sentence components.
Instructions:
- Complete the following sentences using the linking verb that makes the most sense in the context.
Example sentences:
- Although she was not well-educated, she ________ quite intelligent.
- The team, despite being underdogs, ________ very motivated.
Throughout the journey of mastering linking verbs, these worksheets offer a systematic approach to understanding and correctly applying them in various contexts. By engaging with these worksheets, you'll not only improve your grammatical understanding but also your ability to craft clearer and more concise sentences.
What is the difference between linking verbs and action verbs?
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Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence with a noun, pronoun, or adjective that describes or renames it. They express states of being rather than actions. Action verbs, on the other hand, describe an action performed by the subject of the sentence.
Can an adjective follow an action verb?
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Generally, adjectives follow linking verbs. However, with action verbs, if you want to describe how the action was performed, you might use an adverb rather than an adjective. For example, “He runs quickly.” Here, ‘quickly’ modifies the verb ‘runs’ and is an adverb.
Why do we need to practice linking verbs?
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Practicing linking verbs helps in understanding sentence structure, improves clarity in writing, and ensures grammatical correctness. They are crucial for expressing states or conditions without denoting action, which is often necessary for more nuanced communication.
