Review: Linking Verbs

Indicate whether the highlighted verb is used as a linking verb:

1. Frankenstein is the name of the scientist not the monster.

Good work!

Question:
Frankenstein is the name of the scientist not the monster.
Answer:
The answer linking verb is correct.
Explanation:
The verb be is generally used as a linking verb. The noun phrase the name of the scientist not the monster is a subject complement that identifies the proper noun Frankenstein.

Oops!

Question:
Frankenstein is the name of the scientist not the monster.
Answer:
The answer not a linking verb is incorrect.
Explanation:
The verb be is generally used as a linking verb. The noun phrase the name of the scientist not the monster is a subject complement that identifies the proper noun Frankenstein.

2. The oenophile tasted several types of Beaujolais.

Oops!

Question:
The oenophile tasted several types of Beaujolais.
Answer:
The answer linking verb is incorrect.
Explanation:
The verb tasted is followed by a noun phrase (several types of Beaujolais) that acts as a direct object.

Good work!

Question:
The oenophile tasted several types of Beaujolais.
Answer:
The answer not a linking verb is correct.
Explanation:
The verb tasted is followed by a noun phrase (several types of Beaujolais) that acts as a direct object.

3. Francine grows prize-winning dahlias.

Oops!

Question:
Francine grows prize-winning dahlias.
Answer:
The answer linking verb is incorrect.
Explanation:
Here the verb grows is used as a transitive verb and takes the noun phrase prize-winning dahlias as a direct object.

Good work!

Question:
Francine grows prize-winning dahlias.
Answer:
The answer not a linking verb is correct.
Explanation:
Here the verb grows is used as a transitive verb and takes the noun phrase prize-winning dahlias as a direct object.

4. The cheesecake tastes delicious.

Good work!

Question:
The cheesecake tastes delicious.
Answer:
The answer linking verb is correct.
Explanation:
The verb tastes is used as a linking verb. The adjective delicious is a subject complement that identifies the subject of the sentence, the cheesecake.

Oops!

Question:
The cheesecake tastes delicious.
Answer:
The answer not a linking verb is incorrect.
Explanation:
The verb tastes is used as a linking verb. The adjective delicious is a subject complement that identifies the subject of the sentence, the cheesecake.

5. After smoking three cigars, Bridget turned green.

Good work!

Question:
After smoking three cigars, Bridget turned green.
Answer:
The answer linking verb is correct.
Explanation:
Here the verb turned is used as a linking verb. The adjective green is a subject complement that describes the subject Bridget.

Oops!

Question:
After smoking three cigars, Bridget turned green.
Answer:
The answer not a linking verb is incorrect.
Explanation:
Here the verb turned is used as a linking verb. The adjective green is a subject complement that describes the subject Bridget.

6. The cat fastidiously smelled the dish of food placed before it.

Oops!

Question:
The cat fastidiously smelled the dish of food placed before it.
Answer:
The answer linking verb is incorrect.
Explanation:
The verb smelled is used as a transitive verb and takes the noun phrase the dish of food as a direct object.

Good work!

Question:
The cat fastidiously smelled the dish of food placed before it.
Answer:
The answer not a linking verb is correct.
Explanation:
The verb smelled is used as a transitive verb and takes the noun phrase the dish of food as a direct object.

7. The flowers always grow quickly during a sunny summer.

Oops!

Question:
The flowers always grow quickly during a sunny summer.
Answer:
The answer linking verb is incorrect.
Explanation:
Here the verb grow is used as an intransitive verb and is modified by the adverb quickly and the phrase during a sunny summer.

Good work!

Question:
The flowers always grow quickly during a sunny summer.
Answer:
The answer not a linking verb is correct.
Explanation:
Here the verb grow is used as an intransitive verb and is modified by the adverb quickly and the phrase during a sunny summer.

8. The stew that Gordon made smells too spicy to me.

Good work!

Question:
The stew that Gordon made smells too spicy to me.
Answer:
The answer linking verb is correct.
Explanation:
The verb smells is used as a linking verb. The phrase too spicy is a subject complement that identifies the nature of the stew. The dependent clause that Gordon made functions as an adjective defining the nature of the stew.

Oops!

Question:
The stew that Gordon made smells too spicy to me.
Answer:
The answer not a linking verb is incorrect.
Explanation:
The verb smells is used as a linking verb. The phrase too spicy is a subject complement that identifies the nature of the stew. The dependent clause that Gordon made functions as an adjective defining the nature of the stew.

9. Walter was annoyed because Sophy turned the corner too quickly.

Oops!

Question:
Walter was annoyed because Sophy turned the corner too quickly.
Answer:
The answer linking verb is incorrect.
Explanation:
Here the verb turned is used as a transitive verb and takes the direct object the corner.

Good work!

Question:
Walter was annoyed because Sophy turned the corner too quickly.
Answer:
The answer not a linking verb is correct.
Explanation:
Here the verb turned is used as a transitive verb and takes the direct object the corner.

10. Lester B. Pearson was a prominent twentieth-century politician.

Good work!

Question:
Lester B. Pearson was a prominent twentieth-century politician.
Answer:
The answer linking verb is correct.
Explanation:
The verb be is generally used as a linking verb. The noun phrase a prominent twentieth-century politician is a subject complement that identifies the proper noun Lester B. Pearson.

Oops!

Question:
Lester B. Pearson was a prominent twentieth-century politician.
Answer:
The answer not a linking verb is incorrect.
Explanation:
The verb be is generally used as a linking verb. The noun phrase a prominent twentieth-century politician is a subject complement that identifies the proper noun Lester B. Pearson.

Copyright notice for HyperGrammar 2

© Department of English, Faculty of Arts, University of Ottawa
A tool made available online by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada

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