Linking Verbs and State of Being in Writing

1. Regular Day 28 NonFiction • Share Fallacy Examples and turn in • Grammar • Linking Verbs • Practice with verbs • “Writing a Persuasive Brochure” pg. 306-320

2. Late Work • For late work to be accepted, a late slip must be attached. • Late slips must include: • The name of the assignment • The date the assignment was due • The date the assignment is being turned in • The reason the assignment is late • What will need to be done differently next time • Student signature • Parent/guardian signature

3. A linking verb implies state of being or condition for the subject, not action. It links the subject to an equivalent word in the sentence. [In the following examples, the linking verb is bold and the predicate nominative or predicate adjective is underlined.]The test indicates that Sarah is a genius. The subject (SARAH) is linked to a noun that is, in a sense, standing in for her (GENIUS).Toni Morrison was the first African-American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. The subject (TONI MORRISON) is linked to a noun that is of equal weight in terms of description. (WOMAN).

4. A linking verb may connect the subject with a noun: Roads were a slushy mess on Monday along parts of the East Coast. ROADS is linked to MESS, which is equal in terms of description.Smoking appeared to be the cause of the blaze. SMOKING is linked to CAUSE, which restates the subject.It was a sad day.IT is linked to a noun DAY, which restates the subject.

5. A linking verb may connect the subject with a pronoun: The book could behis. The subject (BOOK) is linked with the pronoun indicating its state of being (HIS).The robbery victim pointed and yelled, "That ishe." THAT is linked with HE, which is equal in terms of description.

6. A linking verb may connect the subject with an adjective: The writer wasproud of her efforts. The subject (WRITER) is linked with her state of being (PROUD).Before the show, Malik seemednervous.MALIK is linked with NERVOUS, which is equal in terms of description.

7. Although the modifiers following linking verbs may answer the question what as a direct object does for a transitive verb, they do not receive any action. In federal courts nowadays, every sentence is the same. We can ask: Every sentence is what? and the answer is: THE SAME. But, the same is not receiving the action of the verb as with a transitive verb. SAME is restating or indicating the state of being of SENTENCE.Female inmates are the fastest-growing subpopulation in prison. INMATES are what? Answer: SUBPOPULATION. But, the SUBPOPULATION is not being acted upon; it is restating or indicating the state of being of the WOMEN.

8. Typically, linking verbs are a form of the verb TO BE: IS, WAS, AM, ARE, WERE, BEEN [In the following examples, the linking verb is bold and the modifier is underlined.]The crew's mission is to create the best topographic map of Earth. The subject is MISSION. The linking verb is IS, and the descriptor—in this case a predicate nominative—is TO CREATE. The solution was judges who would mete out longer prison sentences. The subject is SOLUTION. The linking verb is WAS, and the descriptor—in this case a predicate nominative—is JUDGES. Leonardo said, "I am the king of the world." The subject is I. The linking verb is AM, and the descriptor—in this case a predicate nominative—is KING. The number of minor children with one or both parents behind bars is 1.5 million.The subject is NUMBER. The linking verb is IS, and the descriptor—in this case a predicate adjective—is 1.5 MILLION. Law-abiding Americans were far less safe in 1980 than in 1960. The subject is AMERICANS. The linking verb is WERE, and the descriptor—in this case a predicate adjective—is SAFE. Some see this as a societal commitment to imprisonment on a scale that would havebeen unthinkable a quarter of a century ago in this, or any other, country.The subject is THAT. The linking verb is WOULD HAVE BEEN, and the descriptor—in this case a predicate adjective—is UNTHINKABLE.

9. But the verb "to be " does not always mean a linking verb. Forms of the verb TO BE can act as auxiliary verbs for transitive, intransitive and linking verb. The auxiliary verb is not linking but rather helping the main verb.Juvenile crime hasbeenplummeting since 1995.auxiliary verb to the lexical verb plummeting (intransitive verb)Nyoko wascrossing a bridge when the earthquake hit.auxiliary verb to the lexical verb crossing. (transitive verb)Margaret Ann wasfeeling tired.auxiliary verb to the lexical verb feeling. (linking verb)

10. The verb TO BE can act as an intransitive verb when what follows it indicates location rather than state of being. This intransitive form of the verb TO BE is easily identified by the prepositional phrase that follows it. Changes in the criminal statutes arebehind the staggering increase in the incarceration rate. BEHIND signifies location, not state of being. Therefore, the verb is intransitive. Professor Freelove has beenin a coma since the car accident. IN A COMA indicates a location, not state of being. Although COMATOSE is a state of being, being IN A COMA is not. Therefore, the verb is intransitive. Lucia's books areon the refrigerator. ON THE REFRIGERATOR indicates a location, not state of being. Therefore, the verb is intransitive.

11. The verb TO BE is not a linking verb when is acts as part of a verb presented in passive voice. It is part of a transitive verb. When Clinton waselected president, some groups had high hopes he would champion their cause. ELECTED is the main verb. It is weakened by the use of WAS and the failure to make a subject do the action, but WAS is not a linking verb. It is part of a transitive verb. Umberto iscoached by a former Olympic champion. COACHED is the main verb. It is weakened by the use of IS and by not making the champion coach Umberto. It is part of a transitive verb.

12. Other common linking verbs: APPEAR, BECOME, FEEL, GET, GROW, SIT, LOOK, PROVE, REMAIN, SEEM, SMELL, SOUND, TASTE, TURN. Even with the nomination out of reach, he appears unwilling to concede. Nothing is appearing as in: The ghost appeared from behind the piano. APPEARS simply links HE with his state of being, UNWILLING. Liberals became indistinguishable from conservatives on the issue. There is no real action in BECAME. To test this, replace BECAME with the correct form of the verb TO BE: WERE. The sentence meaning is virtually unchanged. "We got tough on crime," he said. Once again GOT is not an action as in: He got the kite out of the tree. To test this, replace GOT with WERE. The sentence meaning is unchanged. He grew discouraged with the number of low-level drug offenders doing 15- and 20-year stretches. The subject is not engaged in the action of growing as in: She grew a garden. GREW links HE with his state of being DISCOURAGED.

13. continued Proactive policing entails rousting people who look suspicious. The subject is not engaged in the action of looking as in: The people looked through the hole in the fence. LOOK links WHO (people) and their state of being: SUSPICIOUS. If an approach proves faulty, laws can be changed. There is no real action in PROVES. To test this, replace PROVES with the correct form of the verb TO BE: IS. The sentence meaning is virtually unchanged. The chairman remains confused about how to vote on these policies. Nothing is happening either physically or intellectually. REMAINS simply links HE with his state of being: CONFUSED. In the current contentious climate, the political system seems locked in place. There is no real action in SEEMS. To test this, replace SEEMS with the correct form of the verb TO BE: IS. The sentence meaning is virtually unchanged. If you leave that spoiled meat on the counter, the room will smell terrible. The subject is not engaged in the action of smelling as in: Allyson smelled the milk. SMELL links ROOM and a state of being: TERRIBLE.

14. To test this, replace SOUNDED with the correct form of the verb TO BE: BEEN. The sentence meaning is virtually unchanged. Shari doesn't like anything that tastes spicy. The subject is not engaged in the action of tasting as in: The child tasted the ice cream. To test this, replace TASTES with the correct form of the verb TO BE: IS. The sentence meaning is virtually unchanged.Many verbs may be linking, transitive or intransitive depending on their function.LINKING: The nation's mood turned sour. The subject is not engaged in an action. TURNED links MOOD and a state of being: SOUR.TRANSITIVE: The judge turned the pages quickly. The subject was engaged in an action (TURNED) and that action transferred to an object (PAGES).INTRANSITIVE: The lawyer turned suddenly toward the back of the courtroom. The subject was engaged in an action (TURNED) and that action was done in a particular way (SUDDENLY) but not to someone or something.

15. Identify the underlined part of speech 1. The burglar disappeared with the cash.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb       d. auxiliary verb2. The director told the actors, "Do your best, and we'll be a hit."a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb3. He would tell me if he thought we were in danger.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb4. His ability to concentrate is legendary.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb5. The campers hid inside the cabin when they saw the bear.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb6. Alexis is swimming in the state championship next week.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb7. Frustrated with the official’s call, Ethan kicked the bench.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb 8. The student procrastinated too long and failed to finish the project.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb9. The vegetarian burger tasted like salted cardboard.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb10. Ellen nodded to the audience and sang her song.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb       d. auxiliary verb

16. continued • 11. Her brother likes bananas, but she likes peaches.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb12. Adjunct faculty are teaching in several of the lower division courses.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb13. The director told the actors, "Do your best, and we'll be a hit."a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb14. Regis Philbin, the host of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," smiled at her answer.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb15. When the contestant completed the first test, she received another clue.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb16. Dennis became impatient when Thomas took so long choosing a movie.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb17. President Clinton pushed into the crowd and shook her hand.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb18. The hiker turned quickly toward the noise behind him.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb19. Our teacher gave each of us another chance to take the exam.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb20. After the chef completed the demonstration, she left the students to clean the kitchen.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb

17. 1. The burglar disappeared with the cash.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb       d. auxiliary verb2. The director told the actors, "Do your best, and we'll be a hit."a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb3. He would tell me if he thought we were in danger.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb4. His ability to concentrate is legendary.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb5. The campers hid inside the cabin when they saw the bear.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb6. Alexis is swimming in the state championship next week.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb7. Frustrated with the official’s call, Ethan kicked the bench.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb8. The student procrastinated too long and failed to finish the project.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb9. The vegetarian burger tasted like salted cardboard.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb10. Ellen nodded to the audience and sang her song.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb       d. auxiliary verb11. Her brother likes bananas, but she likes peaches.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb12. Adjunct faculty are teaching in several of the lower division courses.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb13. The director told the actors, "Do your best, and we'll be a hit."a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb14. Regis Philbin, the host of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," smiled at her answer.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb15. When the contestant completed the first test, she received another clue.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb16. Dennis became impatient when Thomas took so long choosing a movie.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb17. President Clinton pushed into the crowd and shook her hand.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb18. The hiker turned quickly toward the noise behind him.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb19. Our teacher gave each of us another chance to take the exam.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb20. After the chef completed the demonstration, she left the students to clean the kitchen.a. transitive verb     b. intransitive verb     c. linking verb      d. auxiliary verb