Identify linking verbs, predicate adjectives, and predicate nouns

Lesson: Identify Linking Verbs, Predicate Adjectives, and Predicate Nouns

1) Linking Verbs

A linking verb does not show action. It connects the subject to a word that describes or renames the subject.

Common linking verbs

• Forms of be: am, is, are, was, were, be, been

• Others: seem, become, feel, look, sound, smell, taste, appear, remain

Test: If you can replace the verb with is/are/was and it still makes sense, it’s probably a linking verb.
Example: He feels tired. → He is tired. ✅

2) Predicate Adjectives

A predicate adjective is an adjective that comes after a linking verb and describes the subject.

Example:

• The soup smells delicious.

  • Linking verb: smells

  • Predicate adjective: delicious (describes soup)

3) Predicate Nouns (Predicate Nominatives)

A predicate noun is a noun that comes after a linking verb and renames the subject.

Example:

• My dad is a chef.

  • Linking verb: is

  • Predicate noun: chef (renames dad)

Examples (with answers)

1. The sky is blue.

• Linking verb: is

• Predicate adjective: blue

1. Jordan became the captain.

• Linking verb: became

• Predicate noun: captain

1. The flowers smell sweet.

• Linking verb: smell

• Predicate adjective: sweet

1. My mom is a teacher.

• Linking verb: is

• Predicate noun: teacher

1. The movie seems boring.

• Linking verb: seems

• Predicate adjective: boring

Quick Practice (You try!)

Identify the linking verb and whether the underlined word is a predicate adjective (PA) or predicate noun (PN).

A) The puppy looks happy.
B) My sister is a dancer.
C) The milk tastes sour.
D) Mr. Cruz became our coach.
E) The room was quiet.

Answer Key

A) looks — PA
B) is — PN
C) tastes — PA
D) became — PN
E) was — PA