Understanding Linking Verbs and Helping Verbs in English
Verbs are one of the most important parts of English grammar. Without verbs, sentences cannot express actions, states, or conditions clearly. Among the many types of verbs, linking verbs and helping verbs play a crucial role in building meaningful and grammatically correct sentences.
This article will help you understand what linking verbs and helping verbs are, how they are used, their differences, and examples in sentences and conversations. This guide is suitable for students, teachers, and English learners at all levels.
What Are Verbs?
A verb is a word that shows an action, a state of being, or a condition.
Examples:
- She runs every morning.
- They are happy.
- He has finished his homework.
From these examples, we can see that verbs do more than just show action. Some verbs connect the subject to information, while others help main verbs express time, tense, or mood.
What Are Linking Verbs?
Definition of Linking Verbs
A linking verb connects the subject of a sentence to a subject complement (a word or phrase that describes or identifies the subject). Linking verbs do not show action. Instead, they describe a state or condition.
Example:
- She is a teacher.
Here, the verb is links the subject she to the noun teacher.
Common Linking Verbs
The most common linking verbs include:
- Be verbs: am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being
- Sense verbs: seem, appear, look, feel, sound, smell, taste
- Condition verbs: become, grow, remain, stay, turn
Examples:
- The sky looks clear.
- He became angry.
- The soup tastes delicious.
Linking Verbs in Sentences
Linking verbs are often followed by:
- Adjectives:
- The movie was interesting.
- Nouns:
- My brother is a doctor.
Unlike action verbs, linking verbs cannot be used in continuous action forms to show physical movement.
What Are Helping Verbs?
Definition of Helping Verbs
A helping verb (also called an auxiliary verb) works together with a main verb to form different verb tenses, voices, or moods.
Example:
- She is studying English.
In this sentence:
- is = helping verb
- studying = main verb
Common Helping Verbs
There are three main primary helping verbs:
- Be (am, is, are, was, were)
- Have (have, has, had)
- Do (do, does, did)
Examples:
- They are playing football.
- She has completed the task.
- Do you understand the lesson?
Modal Helping Verbs
Modal verbs are also helping verbs. They express ability, possibility, permission, or obligation.
Common modal verbs:
- can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would
Examples:
- You should study harder.
- He can speak English fluently.
- We must finish the project today.
Helping Verbs in Sentences
Helping verbs are always followed by a main verb.
Examples:
- She has been working all day.
- They will arrive tomorrow.
- He did not understand the question.
Helping verbs help show:
- Tense (past, present, future)
- Negatives
- Questions
- Passive voice
Differences Between Linking Verbs and Helping Verbs
| Aspect | Linking Verbs | Helping Verbs |
| Function | Connect subject to description | Assist the main verb |
| Show action? | No | No |
| Followed by | Adjective or noun | Main verb |
| Example | She is happy | She is reading |
Same Verb, Different Function
Some verbs, especially be verbs, can function as linking verbs or helping verbs, depending on how they are used.
Examples:
- She is tired. (linking verb)
- She is running. (helping verb)
Sample Conversations
Conversation 1 (Linking Verb)
A: How is the weather today?
B: It is cloudy.
Conversation 2 (Helping Verb)
A: What are you doing?
B: I am studying for the exam.
Conversation 3 (Linking Verb)
A: How does the food taste?
B: It tastes great.
Conversation 4 (Helping Verb)
A: Have you finished your homework?
B: Yes, I have completed it.
Conversation 5 (Mixed Use)
A: Why do you look tired?
B: I am exhausted because I have been working all day.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using an action verb instead of a linking verb
- Incorrect: She looks happily.
- Correct: She looks happy.
- Forgetting the main verb after a helping verb
- Incorrect: She is very fast. (if action is intended)
- Correct: She is running very fast.
Conclusion
Understanding linking verbs and helping verbs is essential for mastering English grammar. Linking verbs connect the subject to descriptions, while helping verbs support the main verb to express tense, mood, or voice. Knowing the difference will help you write clearer sentences and speak English more confidently.
By practicing with examples and conversations, you will become more comfortable using both types of verbs in everyday communication.