Is To Be A Linking Verb

The verb "to be" serves as a cornerstone of English grammar, acting as more than just a verb; it often functions as a linking verb. Understanding its role as a linking verb is crucial for constructing grammatically sound and meaningful sentences. This article will delve into the intricacies of "to be" as a linking verb, exploring its definition, usage, examples, and common pitfalls.

Understanding Linking Verbs

Linking verbs, unlike action verbs, do not describe an action performed by the subject. Instead, they connect the subject to a word or phrase that describes or identifies the subject. Think of them as bridges that link the subject to additional information about it. This additional information is typically found in the form of a subject complement.

Subject Complements: The Other Half of the Link

A subject complement is a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and renames or describes the subject. There are two main types of subject complements:

• Predicate Nominatives: These are nouns or pronouns that rename the subject.
• Predicate Adjectives: These are adjectives that describe the subject.

For example, in the sentence "She is a doctor," the word "doctor" is a predicate nominative because it renames the subject "She." In the sentence "The sky is blue," the word "blue" is a predicate adjective because it describes the subject "sky."

"To Be" and Its Many Forms

The verb "to be" is highly versatile and comes in several forms, depending on the tense and subject. These forms include:

• am: Used with the first-person singular pronoun "I" (e.g., I am happy).
• is: Used with the third-person singular pronouns "he," "she," and "it," and with singular nouns (e.g., He is tall; The dog is friendly).
• are: Used with the second-person pronoun "you," and with plural nouns and pronouns (e.g., You are kind; They are students).
• was: The past tense form used with singular nouns and the pronouns "I," "he," "she," and "it" (e.g., I was tired; She was a teacher).
• were: The past tense form used with plural nouns and pronouns, and with the pronoun "you" (e.g., They were late; You were right).
• been: The past participle form, often used with auxiliary verbs like "have" or "had" (e.g., I have been busy; They had been warned).
• being: The present participle form, often used in continuous tenses (e.g., I am being patient; She is being helpful).

All these forms can function as linking verbs, connecting the subject to a subject complement.

Identifying "To Be" as a Linking Verb: Key Indicators

While "to be" is often a linking verb, it's not always the case. It can also function as an auxiliary verb, helping to form different tenses. To determine whether "to be" is acting as a linking verb, look for these indicators:

1. Does it connect the subject to a description or identification? If the verb links the subject to a word or phrase that describes or renames it, it's likely a linking verb.

2. Can you replace "to be" with a synonym like "seems," "appears," "feels," "becomes," or "remains" without significantly changing the meaning? If so, it's a good indication that it's a linking verb. For example:

   • "The food is delicious" can be replaced with "The food seems delicious."
   • "He is a lawyer" can be replaced with "He became a lawyer."

3. Is there an action being performed? Linking verbs do not express action. If the subject is actively doing something, "to be" is probably functioning as an auxiliary verb.

Examples of "To Be" as a Linking Verb

Let's examine some examples to solidify your understanding:

• "I am happy." Here, "am" links the subject "I" to the predicate adjective "happy," which describes the subject's state of being.
• "She is a talented artist." "Is" connects "She" to the predicate nominative "talented artist," which identifies her profession.
• "The weather is cold today." "Is" links "The weather" to the predicate adjective "cold," describing the temperature.
• "They are my friends." "Are" connects "They" to the predicate nominative "my friends," identifying their relationship to the speaker.
• "The soup was hot." "Was" links "The soup" to the predicate adjective "hot," describing the soup's temperature.
• "He will be a doctor." "Will be" (future tense of "to be") links "He" to the predicate nominative "a doctor," identifying his future profession.
• "It has been a long day." "Has been" links "It" to the predicate nominative "a long day," describing the nature of the day.
• "The flowers are being delivered." In this case, "are being" functions as part of the passive voice construction and is not a linking verb. It describes an action being done to the flowers. (See the section on distinguishing from auxiliary verbs below.)
• "I am being serious." Here, "am being" links "I" to the adjective "serious," describing the subject's current demeanor.

Distinguishing Linking Verbs from Auxiliary Verbs

It's essential to distinguish between "to be" as a linking verb and "to be" as an auxiliary verb. Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, assist the main verb in a sentence. "To be" often acts as an auxiliary verb in continuous tenses (e.g., present continuous, past continuous) and in passive voice constructions.

Example of Auxiliary Verb in Continuous Tense:

• "She is singing a song." Here, "is" is an auxiliary verb helping the main verb "singing" to form the present continuous tense. It doesn't link "She" to a description; it indicates an ongoing action.

Example of Auxiliary Verb in Passive Voice:

• "The letter was written by him." Here, "was" is an auxiliary verb helping the main verb "written" to form the passive voice. It indicates that the subject "The letter" is receiving the action, rather than performing it.

Key Difference:

• Linking Verbs: Connect the subject to a description or identification.
• Auxiliary Verbs: Help the main verb express tense, voice, or mood.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Here are some common mistakes to watch out for when using "to be" as a linking verb:

1. Confusing Linking Verbs with Action Verbs: Remember that linking verbs do not describe actions. If the verb shows the subject performing an action, it is not a linking verb.

   • Incorrect: "He is running fast." (Running is an action; "is" is an auxiliary verb.)
   • Correct (Linking Verb): "He is fast." (Fast describes him; "is" is a linking verb.)

2. Incorrect Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure the verb form ("am," "is," "are," "was," "were") agrees with the subject in number (singular or plural).

   • Incorrect: "They is happy."
   • Correct: "They are happy."

3. Using an Adverb Instead of an Adjective after a Linking Verb: Linking verbs connect the subject to an adjective that describes it. Avoid using adverbs, which modify verbs.

   • Incorrect: "He is doing well." (Well is an adverb modifying "doing")
   • Correct (Action Verb): "He is doing well." (Here, "is doing" is the action, not a linking verb.)
   • Correct (Linking Verb): "He is good." (Good is an adjective describing him; "is" is a linking verb.) "He feels good." (Good is an adjective describing how he feels; "feels" is a linking verb.)

4. Misunderstanding the Passive Voice: Recognizing when a form of "to be" is used in the passive voice, and therefore not a linking verb, is critical.

   • Incorrect (Thinking it's linking): "The cake is eaten." (This is passive; the cake receives the action.)
   • Correct (Understanding its auxiliary use): "The cake is being eaten." (Present continuous passive; still auxiliary.)

Alternative Linking Verbs

While "to be" is a common linking verb, many other verbs can function as linking verbs, including:

• Sense Verbs: These verbs relate to the senses, such as "look," "smell," "taste," "sound," and "feel." However, these can also be action verbs, so context is key!
• Verbs of Becoming: These verbs indicate a change in state, such as "become," "grow," "turn," and "get."
• Verbs of Remaining: These verbs indicate a continuation of a state, such as "remain," "stay," and "keep."
• Other Verbs: "Seem," "appear," and "prove" can also function as linking verbs.

Examples:

• "The flowers smell fragrant." ("Smell" links "The flowers" to the adjective "fragrant.")
• "He became a successful entrepreneur." ("Became" links "He" to the noun phrase "a successful entrepreneur.")
• "She remained calm under pressure." ("Remained" links "She" to the adjective "calm.")
• "The story seems true." ("Seems" links "The story" to the adjective "true.")
• "The evidence proved him innocent." ("Proved" links "The evidence" to the adjective "innocent.")
• "The child grew taller." ("Grew" links "The child" to the adjective "taller.")

The Importance of Mastering Linking Verbs

Understanding linking verbs, especially "to be," is vital for several reasons:

• Grammatical Accuracy: Correctly identifying and using linking verbs ensures that your sentences are grammatically sound and clear.
• Effective Communication: Using linking verbs appropriately allows you to describe and identify subjects more effectively, leading to clearer and more informative communication.
• Sentence Variety: Recognizing different linking verbs allows you to add variety and nuance to your writing.
• Improved Writing Skills: A strong grasp of linking verbs contributes to overall improved writing skills, enhancing your ability to express yourself with precision and clarity.
• Deeper Understanding of English: It fosters a deeper understanding of the structure and mechanics of the English language.

FAQs About "To Be" as a Linking Verb

• Is "to be" always a linking verb? No. "To be" can also function as an auxiliary verb, particularly in continuous tenses and passive voice constructions.

• How can I tell if "to be" is a linking verb? If it connects the subject to a word or phrase that describes or identifies it, and if you can replace it with "seems," "appears," or "becomes" without changing the meaning, it's likely a linking verb.

• What follows a linking verb? A subject complement follows a linking verb. A subject complement is either a predicate nominative (a noun or pronoun that renames the subject) or a predicate adjective (an adjective that describes the subject).

• Can other verbs be linking verbs? Yes. Sense verbs (look, smell, taste, sound, feel), verbs of becoming (become, grow, turn, get), and verbs of remaining (remain, stay, keep) can also function as linking verbs. "Seem," "appear," and "prove" can too.

• What is the difference between a linking verb and an action verb? A linking verb connects the subject to a description or identification. An action verb describes an action performed by the subject.

Conclusion

Mastering the concept of "to be" as a linking verb, along with other linking verbs, is an essential step towards becoming a proficient English speaker and writer. By understanding how these verbs connect subjects to descriptive information, you can construct more grammatically accurate, clear, and expressive sentences. Pay attention to the context, identify the subject complement, and practice distinguishing linking verbs from auxiliary verbs to solidify your understanding. With consistent effort, you will confidently navigate the nuances of linking verbs and elevate your communication skills. The key is to remember that linking verbs don't show action; they show a state of being or a connection between the subject and its description.