Linking Verbs and Predicate Words

Linking Verbs and Predicate Words

By Susan Gustafson

A linking verb connects the subject of a sentence to a word or words in the predicate.

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The word is called a subject complement. The subject complement identifies or describes the subject.

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Some common linking verbs are am, are, is, was were, be, being been, appear, feel, seem, look, taste, and touch.

Subject | Subject

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Peanut butter is a popular American food.

(The linking verb is is; the subject complement is food.)​

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Peanut butter looks gooey in the jar​.

(The linking verb is looks; the subject complement is gooey.)​

Subject | Subject

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A predicate noun is a noun or pronouns that follows a linking verb and identifies, renames, or defines the subject.

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Peanut butter is a tasty snack.

(The predicate noun snack identifies the subject peanut butter.)​

Subject | Subject

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A predicate adjective is an adejctive that follows a linking verb and describes or modifies the subject.

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Peanut butter on your hands feels sticky.

(The predicate adjective sticky describes the subject peanut butter.)

Subject | Subject

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Fill in the Blanks

Type the linking verb of the following sentence.

Peanut butter is rich in protein.

Fill in the Blanks

Type the predicate noun or predicate adjective of the following sentence.  

Peanut butter is rich in protein.

Fill in the Blanks

Type the linking verb of the following sentence.  

Ninety percent of its rich ingredients are crushed peanuts.

Fill in the Blanks

Type the predicate noun or predicate adjective of the following sentence.  

Ninety percent of its rich ingredients are crushed peanuts.

Fill in the Blanks

Type the linking verb of the following sentence.  

Another major ingredient is vegetable oil.

Fill in the Blanks

Type the linking verb of the following sentence.  

Peanuts are vegetables similar to beans.

Fill in the Blanks

Type the predicate noun or predicate adjective of the following sentence.  

Peanuts are vegetables similar to beans.

Fill in the Blanks

Type the linking verb of the following sentence.  

They are not nuts.

Fill in the Blanks

Type the predicate noun or predicate adjective of the following sentence.   

They are not nuts.

Fill in the Blanks

Type the linking verb of the following sentence.   

Georgia is an important state for peanut production.

Fill in the Blanks

Type the predicate noun or predicate adjective of the following sentence.     

Georgia is an important state for peanut production.

Fill in the Blanks

Type the linking verb of the following sentence.     

Peanuts look white at first.

Fill in the Blanks

Type the predicate noun or predicate adjective of the following sentence.  

Peanuts look white at first.

Fill in the Blanks

Type the linking verb of the following sentence.  

They feel wet.

Fill in the Blanks

Type the predicate noun or predicate adjective of the following sentence.  

They feel wet.

Fill in the Blanks

Type the linking verb of the following sentence.  

Peanuts are raw before roasting or boiling.

Fill in the Blanks

Type the predicate noun or predicate adjective of the following sentence.  

Peanuts are raw before roasting or boiling.

Fill in the Blanks

Type the linking verb of the following sentence.  

Raw peanuts taste bad.

Fill in the Blanks

Type the predicate noun or predicate adjective of the following sentence.  

Raw peanuts taste bad.

Fill in the Blanks

Type the linking verb of the following sentence.  

The best quality peanuts become peanut butter.

Fill in the Blanks

Type the predicate noun or predicate adjective of the following sentence.  

The best quality peanuts become peanut butter.

Fill in the Blanks

Type the linking verb of the following sentence.  

Lower quality peanuts are an ingredient in shaving cream, paint, and shoe polish.

Fill in the Blanks

Type the predicate noun or predicate adjective of the following sentence.  

Lower quality peanuts are an ingredient in shaving cream, paint, and shoe polish.