Linking Verbs Simulation

Before you begin: What is a linking verb?

A linking verb connects the subject to a word that identifies or describes that same subject. It expresses a relationship rather than an action passing to an object.

The garden is peaceful.

Identity Bridge

Connect the subject to a description or identity.

Learning mode

Student ModeTeacher Mode

Experiment Identity Bridge

Subject The garden

Verb is

Subject complement peaceful

Time Present

Use Linking

Simulation speed 1×

Live linking-verb analyzer

SentenceThe garden is peaceful.

SubjectThe garden

Linking verbis

Complementpeaceful

Relationshipgarden ↔ peaceful

What is happening?

Is links the garden to the description peaceful.

Relationship timeline

Camera & tracking

Zoom 100%

Teacher demonstration tools

Annotation penReveal replacement test

Interactive visual lecture

Every spoken relationship is matched by one temporary label, an animated condition or identity scene, and highlighted sentence words.

Language English

English narrator accent USA

Accent applies only when English is selected.

Lecture speed 1×

Ready. Narration starts only when you choose a lecture control.

Step 1 of 100%

Transcript

What to watch:

Learning objectives

Recognize linking verbs that connect subjects to descriptions or identities.
Identify predicate adjectives and predicate nouns.
Distinguish sense verbs used as links from the same verbs used as actions.
Use tense and agreement correctly with forms of be.
Apply the replacement-with-be test carefully.

The linking relationship

In The soup tastes delicious, tastes links soup to the description delicious. Delicious describes the soup; it is not receiving an action.

Two kinds of complements

A predicate adjective describes: The flower smells sweet.
A predicate noun identifies: Mr Ali is a teacher.

Suggested experiments

Compare The soup smells delicious with The chef smells the soup.
Change the room is quiet to past time.
Watch leaves turn red and the sky become dark.
Replace seem, remain, feel, or look with a form of be.

Common misconceptions

A linking verb does not always use a form of be.
Sense verbs are not always linking; sentence meaning decides.
The complement describes or renames the subject, not the verb.
A word after a linking verb is not a direct object.

Linking-verb challenge

0 / 7