Linking Verbs vs. Helping Verbs

We receive many requests from individuals who seek help with identifying verbs.  A lot of indivudals get linking verbs confused with helping verbs.  It's a common mistake.  Hopefully the following information will help you properly identify verbs.

Action verbs are verbs that show action.  Action verbs are the most common verbs.

Linking verbs (also known as state of being verbs) show that something exists or indicate a state of being; they do not show action.  Some common linking verbs include: is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been, seem, look, feel, and become.

 
 
 

Sometimes a verb can be more than one word.  When a verb is more than one word, it is called a verb phrase.  Verb phrases can be two, three, or four words.  Verb phrases are made by using helping verbs with the main verb.

Some of the helping verbsHelping verbs are any verbs in a verb phrase that are not the main verb.
Source: Lesson 4 can be used alone as the main verbThe main verb is the only verb in a sentence or the last verb in a verb phrase..  There are twenty-three (23) helping verbs that should be memorized since they are used so often.  If you will memorize them, it will make knowing and understanding verbs much easier.  They are usually grouped in the following six groups:

Group 1: is, am, are, was, were (linking verbs when used alone)
Group 2: be, being, been (action or linking verbs when used alone)
Group 3: has, have, had (action verbs when used alone)
Group 4: do, does, did (action verbs when used alone)
Group 5: shall, will, should, would (cannot be used alone)
Group 6: may, might, must, can, could (cannot be used alone)

 
 
 

So to summarize, a verb or verb phrase can be labeled as an action verb or a linking verb.  Some words can be used as main verbs or helping verbs.  Helping verbs are found only in a verb phrase in support of the main verb.  Please test your knowledge by completing the problems below.

Instructions: List the verbs or verb phrases in the sentences, and tell whether they are action verbs or linking verbs.  For extra credit, find the helping verbs.

1. Jim plays basketball.

2. They will return on the airplane.

3. Badger is a funny dog.

4. I have been here a long time.

5. I should have been playing the drum.

Related links:  Lessons 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5