The most common linking verbs are
auxillary verbs.
intransitive verbs.
various forms of be.

The correct answer is C. The most common linking verbs are various forms of the verb "to be." These are: am, is, are, was, were, be, being, and been. Linking verbs show a relationship between the subject and the subject complement -- which is really just a fancy way of saying that linking verbs connect (or link) a subject to more information about the subject. Consider this example: Julie is my sister. Here, the linking verb "is" connects the subject (Julie) to more information about the subject (the fact that she is my sister). Using a form of the verb "to be" is the easiest way to link this information; therefore, the correct answer is C.

The most common linking verbs are various forms of be. The various forms of the verb 'to be' are am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being.

Further Explanation

Linking Verbs

Linking verbs are verbs that 'link' a subject to it's description. For example, He is sad. In this sentence 'is' links the subject, He, to the description, sad. The most basic structure of a sentence with a linking verb is noun/pronoun + linking verb + adjective or noun. As sentences with linking verbs become more complex the only thing that changes is the subject and the description.

Other linking verbs to become, to seem. Some action verbs can also be used as linking verbs: look, touch, smell, appear, feel, sound, and taste. Notice that these are all sense words. The sentence "I feel sad" uses feel as a linking verb. The sentence "I feel the board under my feet" uses feel as an action verb. In the second sentence my feet are touching the board whereas the first sentence is describing my state of being. Often when an action verb is used as a linking verb, it can be substituted with the correct form of 'to be' as in "I am sad."

Other Types of Verbs

All sentences must contain a verb to be considered a complete sentence. Verbs can be either linking, action or helping. The main verb phrase of a sentence must contain either an action verb or a linking verb. Helping verbs are not required to create a complete sentence, but they are important for verb tense. Linking verbs and helping verbs are often confused since common helping verbs are also various forms of 'to be'. However, helping verbs are always followed by another verb; linking verbs and action verbs are not.

Answer Details

Level: High School

Subject: English

Topic: Grammar

Keywords

helping verbs, linking verbs, action verbs, verb usage, to be verbs

Learn More

Types of Verbs: link

What is a linking verb?: link

Harriet Tubman's contribute to history was that she was the conductor of the Underground Railroad, which helped bring slaves to freedom. Harriet Tubman was an abolitionist and was part of the woman's suffrage move.