My problem has to do with linking verbs. I know the obvious linking verbs: forms of "be", is,etc. But I don't know if words such as "during", "a chance that". I am very confused. Thanks for your help.
The words you've listed are not verbs, but you are right that there are linking verbs other than the form of the verb "to be."
to seem
to become
to taste
and others can be used as linking verbs.
She seems happy.
They became angry.
It tastes good.
Here are some websites with more information:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/verbs.htm#linking
http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/linkingverb.htm
http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/l.html
Scroll down to Linking...
http://members.cox.net/lenco1/grammarpractice/verbs/linkact.htm
If you have specific questions or if there are sentences/phrases/clauses about which you have questions, please be sure to re-post.
Thank you. I will check out the websites. If I still have problems I will repost.
You're welcome. =)
Understanding linking verbs can indeed be confusing, especially when it comes to words that may or may not function as linking verbs. Let's break it down:
Linking verbs are verbs that connect the subject of a sentence to a noun, pronoun, or adjective that describes or identifies the subject. The most common linking verb is a form of "be" (e.g., is, am, are, was, were, etc.), but there are others as well.
To determine if a word is a linking verb, you can follow these steps:
1. Look for a verb that expresses a state of being or connects the subject to additional information about the subject.
2. Does the verb describe an action? If yes, it's likely an action verb rather than a linking verb.
3. If the verb is not an action verb, check if it connects the subject to additional information about the subject.
4. Does the word link the subject to a noun or pronoun (predicate nominative) or describe the subject (predicate adjective)? If yes, it is acting as a linking verb.
Now, let's apply this approach to the specific examples you mentioned:
1. "During" is actually a preposition. Prepositions show relationships between other words in a sentence. They typically indicate location, direction, time, manner, or condition. Therefore, "during" is not a linking verb.
Example: "She studied during the night." Here, "during" is a preposition indicating the time in which she studied.
2. "A chance that" is not a linking verb either. It is a noun phrase or a relative clause depending on the sentence. It can function as the subject or object of a sentence.
Example 1: "There is a chance that I will win." Here, "a chance that" is a noun phrase, functioning as the subject of the sentence.
Example 2: "I have a chance that you don't." Here, "a chance that" is a noun phrase, functioning as the object of the verb "have."
In summary, while "during" and "a chance that" are not linking verbs, they serve different functions within a sentence. Remember to look for verbs that connect the subject to additional information about the subject as a general rule when determining if a verb is a linking verb.