Many verbs can be used as either linking verbs or actions verbs.
Linking: The bread smelled stale. ( Smelled links bread and stale.)
Charles smelled the cake. (Charles is performing the action of smelling.)
To test whether a verb is a linking verb or an action verb, substitute am, is or are for the verb. If the new verb links a word before it to a word after it and if the sentence still makes sense, then the original verb is a linking verb.
Exercise A: In your journal underline the verb and label whether it is an action verb or a linking verb. (AV or LV). Draw a double ended arrow to show what words may be linked together by the linking verb. (You do not need to rewrite)
1. The inspector sounded the alarm as a test.
2.During the drought the grass turned brown.
3. The room seems smaller now.
4. My brother grows corn and potatoes.
5. That robin appears at our bird feeder often.
6. The chocolate fudge tastes too sweet.
Exercise B: Developing skills
Write 6 of your own sentences using the verbs below as linking verbs. Underline the verbs and use the double-headed arrow connecting the words they link. (write these sentences in cursive and in ink.)
1. became 2. Look 3. smell
4. sound 5. grew 6. felt
Linking: The bread smelled stale. ( Smelled links bread and stale.)
Charles smelled the cake. (Charles is performing the action of smelling.)
To test whether a verb is a linking verb or an action verb, substitute am, is or are for the verb. If the new verb links a word before it to a word after it and if the sentence still makes sense, then the original verb is a linking verb.
Exercise A: In your journal underline the verb and label whether it is an action verb or a linking verb. (AV or LV). Draw a double ended arrow to show what words may be linked together by the linking verb. (You do not need to rewrite)
1. The inspector sounded the alarm as a test.
2.During the drought the grass turned brown.
3. The room seems smaller now.
4. My brother grows corn and potatoes.
5. That robin appears at our bird feeder often.
6. The chocolate fudge tastes too sweet.
Exercise B: Developing skills
Write 6 of your own sentences using the verbs below as linking verbs. Underline the verbs and use the double-headed arrow connecting the words they link. (write these sentences in cursive and in ink.)
1. became 2. Look 3. smell
4. sound 5. grew 6. felt