Difference Between Helping Verb and Linking Verb

Table of Contents

A lot of questions come to mind when there are similar terms. Many people think both helping verbs and linking verbs are the same and do not differ, as they both are used with the subject matter. Well, I think those who have studied English know very well that both helping verbs and linking have different meanings and are used in another form.

Helping Verb vs Linking Verb

The main difference between helping verbs and linking verbs is the helping verb, which is also known as the auxiliary verbs, helps the main verb—on the other hand, connecting verb-link the subject with further information the subject.  

The helping verb I also knew as an auxiliary verb. It is a verb that comes before the main verb. Helping verbs like a will, shall, may, can, could, should, would, used, must ought to, are used along with the main verb so that it can convey shades of mood and time. The verb main and helping verb, which is used in the sentences, is called verb strings or verb phrases.

The linking verb is the verb, which creates a connection between the subject and further information about the sentence’s subject. It is a verb that does not show any action, but it connects the subject’s information. The linking verb like am, is, was, are, are, been, being to be the common linking verb which is used.

 

Comparison Table Between Helping Verb and Linking Verb

Parameter of ComparisonHelping verbLinking verb
MeaningHelping verb is the type of verb which is used before the main verb in sentences, and it is also known as an auxiliary verb.Linking verb is the type of verb used in the sentences to connect the subject and further information on the subject.
Main verbHelping verbs cannot be termed as a main verb in the sentences.It can be the main verb in the sentence.
FollowThe principal of the verb follows it.It is followed by the subject complements.
WorkIt gives the extra information in the sentences.It combines the subject and subject information.
ExpressIt is a type of verb that expresses an action or state of being.It is a type of verb which is used in the sentences so that it can identify or describe in the sentences.
 

What is Helping Verb?

A helping verb is also called an auxiliary verb, and it is the type of verb which helps the main verb of the sentences. This verb has no meaning when used alone, so they are not used as the action verb. Helping verbs add time, detail, and meaning to the main verb on the sentences. This verb can add meaning to the probability, obligation, necessity, or potential in the sentences.

If it is used in this way, they are called a modal verb. Sentences like: You must eat dinner on time. We can see that in this sentence must is the helping verb where a person shows the requirement to be on time or obligation. This verb is generally used for negative or question sentences. A sentence like: Do you want water? In this sentence, we can see that a helping verb is used for asking a question.

 It also is used to choose the tense in the paragraph, such as the continuous or passive tense. This verb helps to create a sentence that should be progressive and perfect. It can be used to function in such a way that it set the timing of the action verb in the sentences. Sentences like: I am working as a doctor. In this sentence, we can see that the main action verb I working and the helping verb has been used in a sentence to show the ongoing action in the progressive tense. This verb can also be used as the future perfect, present perfect, or past perfect tense in the sentences. 

 

What is Linking Verb?

The linking verb is the type of verb that connects the main subject of the sentences with the predicate, the subject’s information, or the same sentence to describe or identify or to another word. This type of verb does not express any action but neither a condition nor a state of being. The verb which verb connect either has to be a noun, adjective, or pronoun. It is the type of verb that connects the word with the subject to explain the main subject in the sentence. 

 A sentence like: I am hot. We can see that being is the linking verb in the sentence, which has been used to express being hot in the sentences. The word cold in the sentence is considered a noun, and the word I and am considered a linking verb in the sentence.

There is also some verb, which can also be used as an action verb and linking verb in the sentences. Sentences like: He feels hot. In these sentences, we can see that it feels like a linking verb, but it also acts as the action verb in the sentences.

Main Differences Between Helping Verb and Linking Verb

  • Both the helping and linking verb are used to connect with nouns, pronouns, and adjectives.
  • Helping the verb does not consider the main verb in the sentences. On the other hand, the linking verb is considered the main verb of the sentences.
  • Helping the verb generally follows the principle of the verb. On the other hand, linking the verb follows the subject complement.
  • Helping verbS put in the extra information in the sentences. On the other hand, linking verb combines the subject and subject information.
  • Helping are used in the sentences so that it can express an action or state of being. On the other hand, a linking verb is used in the sentences so that it can identify or describe in the sentences.
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    Conclusion

    Since the primary difference between the helping verb and linking verb has been told, it is clear that both are very much different from each other and have a different meaning, perform a different function in the sentences.

     Helping verb express the state of being in the sentences and the linking verb are used to link subject and further subject information in the sentences. So we can tell that both are very much different from each other.

    References

  • https://pure.mpg.de/pubman/faces/ViewItemOverviewPage.jsp?itemId=item_1456682
  • https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1467-7687.00209
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