What is the Difference between a Helping and Linking Verb?

Identifying helping and linking verbs can be challenging, but they serve different functions. Helping verbs support main verbs by adding tense, aspect, emphasis, or conditions. Linking verbs connect the subject to a noun or adjective. Understanding the job a verb does clarifies the type of verb it is.

Helping Verbs

Helping or auxiliary verbs always come before the main verb. They 'help' the main verb by adding tense (past, present, or future) or the perfect aspect to the sentence. The most common helping verbs are 'be', 'do', and 'have'. 'Do' verbs are often used in questions or to add emphasis. Modals are helping verbs that indicate different conditions, such as ability, permission, possibility, probability, obligation, requests, or necessity. Helping verbs are never the main verb. Helping verbs assist, support, and supplement the main verb.

• Present: I am eating a pizza.
• Past: I was eating a pizza.
• Future: I will eat a pizza tonight.
• Perfect: I have eaten pizza many times.
• Questions: Did you eat already?
• Conditions: I might eat pizza.
  

Linking Verbs

Linking verbs are main verbs that connect or link the subject with a noun that renames it or an adjective that describes it. 'Be' is the most common linking verb.

Subject = Noun 

• Tom is an athlete.            Tom = athlete
• They are proud parents.  they = parents

Subject = Adjective 

• Judy is very smart.  Judy = smart
• We were very tired.    we = tired

In addition to 'be' verbs, sometimes feeling verbs connect the subject and an adjective. These include feel, smell, look, taste, sound, appear, act, get, proven, grow, remain, stay, and turn.

• He feels great.                     he = great
• The food tastes delicious.    food = delicious
• They look healthy.               they = healthy
• The cat appears confused.   cat = confused

Feeling verbs can also be main verbs. To determine if they are linking verbs, substitute a 'be' verb. If the sentence makes sense, it is a linking verb. 

• She seems happy.  She is happy.                  Yes, it is a linking verb.
• The clock turns slowly. The clock is slowly.   No, it is a main verb.