I'm confused about verbs!

[Goldilocks]

I'm looking ahead to 2nd grade in FLL and I'm confused about the difference between a linking verb and a verb that shows a state of being. FLL presents these as two separate things (even mentions that children may have trouble identifying the difference). However, when I tried to look up more information about the difference, most web-sites consider them to be the same thing.

Is a state of being verb a linking verb?

Where can I go to educate myself about grammar?

 

Thanks!

[Sue G in PA]

I'm going to take a stab at this. A linking verb, in a sense, "links" the subject to the noun in the predicate that "re-names" it. So for example: My mother is the teacher. "Is" is a linking verb because it "links" mother to teacher which basically renames mother. See what I mean? Now, I could say something like this: The plant is on the table. "Is" is a state of being but not a linking verb b/c there is not a noun in the predicate that renames plant. "on the table" is a prepositional phrase that I guess would also be an adverbial phrase b/c it tells where. Is that clear? If I am wrong, I hope somebody else chimes in to correct me! :D

[Julie Herbster]

I'm going to take a stab at this. A linking verb, in a sense, "links" the subject to the noun in the predicate that "re-names" it. So for example: My mother is the teacher. "Is" is a linking verb because it "links" mother to teacher which basically renames mother. See what I mean? Now, I could say something like this: The plant is on the table. "Is" is a state of being but not a linking verb b/c there is not a noun in the predicate that renames plant. "on the table" is a prepositional phrase that I guess would also be an adverbial phrase b/c it tells where. Is that clear? If I am wrong, I hope somebody else chimes in to correct me! :D

:hurray:Sue G, what a great explanation; you get an A for the day! I'll just add that all of the "state of being verbs" in all of their tenses can act as linking verbs, along with words like look, appear, taste, feel, become, and seem. I remember memorizing a list of linking verbs, but that was so long ago that I don't think I can come up with all of them. Here are some more simple examples.

 

John is a good man. (is = SOBV and LV...It links the subject John with the predicate noun man.)

 

She was hungry. (was = SOBV and LV...It links the subject She with the predicate adjective hungry.)

 

The food is in the truck. (is = SOBV only, since there is no predicate noun or adjective)

 

The dog seemed scared. (seemed = LV...It links the subject dog with the predicate adjective scared)

 

The boy feels feverish. (feels= LV...It links the subject boy with the predicate adjective feverish.)

 

Abraham Lincoln became the sixteenth President. (became = LV...It links the subject Abraham Lincoln with the predicate noun President.)

 

Here's a handly little site that answers your question better than I can: http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/linkingverb.htm

[Goldilocks]

Thanks, these are great explanations.

[Sue G in PA]

:hurray:Sue G, what a great explanation; you get an A for the day! I'll just add that all of the "state of being verbs" in all of their tenses can act as linking verbs, along with words like look, appear, taste, feel, become, and seem. I remember memorizing a list of linking verbs, but that was so long ago that I don't think I can come up with all of them. Here are some more simple examples.

 

John is a good man. (is = SOBV and LV...It links the subject John with the predicate noun man.)

 

She was hungry. (was = SOBV and LV...It links the subject She with the predicate adjective hungry.)

 

The food is in the truck. (is = SOBV only, since there is no predicate noun or adjective)

 

 

 

The dog seemed scared. (seemed = LV...It links the subject dog with the predicate adjective scared)

 

The boy feels feverish. (feels= LV...It links the subject boy with the predicate adjective feverish.)

 

Abraham Lincoln became the sixteenth President. (became = LV...It links the subject Abraham Lincoln with the predicate noun President.)

 

Here's a handly little site that answers your question better than I can: http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/linkingverb.htm

 

 

I get an A! I get an A! Yippee! :lol: Oh and, Julie...you get an A, too! Terrific examples to further clarify what I meant! Wow, and my dh thinks he is the only one who knows his grammar.

[titianmom]

I was going to say something, but why? This is good. I'll have my dd read this when it comes up....again.

 

:)

 

Kim