How Linking Verbs Connect Subjects to Information

GrammarSongs by Melissa

This animated educational video provides a clear and accessible introduction to linking verbs, distinguishing them from action verbs through visual examples and step-by-step practice. The video uses a whiteboard animation style to explain that while action verbs show movement or what a subject "does," linking verbs connect the subject to more information about what the subject "is" or how they are described. It uses the metaphor of a chain link to demonstrate this connection visually. The video covers key grammatical concepts including the definition of linking verbs, a list of common linking verbs (such as am, is, are, was, were, seem), and the role of the subject in a sentence. It introduces visualization strategies where the narrator encourages viewers to picture the sentence in their head to identify the subject and the descriptive information, thereby isolating the linking verb that connects them. For educators, this video is an excellent tool for introducing or reviewing parts of speech in elementary classrooms. It moves beyond simple memorization by providing a logical method for identifying linking verbs: identifying the subject, identifying the information, and finding the connecting word. The guided practice segments with "Tony," "the cow," and "the children" serve as ready-made formative assessments or pause-and-discuss moments during a lesson.