Linking Verbs and Predicate Adjectives

Front

Linking verb definition

Back

Joins the subject with another word.

Answer explanation

A linking verb is a verb that connects the subject of a sentence with another word, usually providing more information about the subject. It does not describe an action, show possession, or indicate time. Instead, it helps to establish a relationship between the subject and the additional word, often describing a state or condition.

Front

Example of a sentence with a predicate adjective:

Back

The flowers smell sweet.

Answer explanation

A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and modifies the subject of the sentence. In the given question, 'The flowers smell sweet', 'sweet' is the predicate adjective that modifies 'The flowers'. It follows the linking verb 'smell'. Therefore, this sentence is an example of a sentence with a predicate adjective.

Front

Predicate adjective requirement

Back

In a sentence with a linking verb

Answer explanation

A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and modifies the subject of the sentence. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Be in a sentence containing a linking verb'. The other options are incorrect as they do not accurately describe the role of a predicate adjective.

Front

Identify the sentence with a compound predicate adjective.

Back

His shoes look old and worn.

Answer explanation

A compound predicate adjective is when a subject has more than one adjective describing it, connected by a conjunction. In the sentence 'His shoes look old and worn', 'old' and 'worn' are both adjectives describing the shoes, making it a compound predicate adjective.

Front

Determine if a verb is linking by inserting 'to be' and checking for meaning change.

Back

Insert a form of 'to be' for the verb and see if the meaning of the sentence changes.

Answer explanation

A linking verb connects the subject of a sentence to a word or phrase that provides more information about it. The best way to identify a linking verb is to replace it with a form of 'to be' and see if the sentence still makes sense. This is why the correct answer is 'Insert a form of 'to be' for the verb and see if the meaning of the sentence changes'.

Front

Predicate adjective in 'The garage cabinets are too wide'

Back

wide

Answer explanation

In the sentence 'The garage cabinets are too wide,' the predicate adjective is 'wide.' A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject of the sentence. In this case, 'wide' follows the linking verb 'are' and describes the garage cabinets.

Front

Predicate adjective in 'This pasta tastes very stale'?

Back

stale

Answer explanation

In the sentence 'This pasta tastes very stale,' the predicate adjective is 'stale.' A predicate adjective describes the subject of the sentence and follows a linking verb, in this case, 'tastes.' The other options, 'pasta,' 'tastes,' and 'very,' do not function as predicate adjectives in this sentence.

Front

Predicate adjective in 'You appear happy about your decision'

Back

happy

Answer explanation

In the sentence 'You appear happy about your decision,' the predicate adjective is 'happy.' A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject of the sentence. In this case, 'happy' follows the linking verb 'appear' and describes the subject 'You.'

Front

Predicate adjective in 'Her new sunglasses are plastic with rhinestones'

Back

plastic

Answer explanation

In the sentence 'Her new sunglasses are plastic with rhinestones,' the predicate adjective is 'plastic.' A predicate adjective describes the subject of the sentence and follows a linking verb. In this case, 'plastic' describes the sunglasses and follows the linking verb 'are.'