Which statement about auxiliary and linking verbs is correct?

Which statement about auxiliary and linking verbs is correct?

• A. A linking verb works as an auxiliary
• B. An auxiliary cannot form questions
• C. A linking verb is always the main verb
• D. An auxiliary verb goes with a main verb

Answer: (D)

Auxiliary verbs attach to a main verb to form a verb phrase that carries tense, aspect, voice, or mood. This relationship—an auxiliary working with a main verb to express more than the base meaning—is what this statement captures. For example, in She has finished, has is the auxiliary helping the main verb finished to show the present perfect. In They are studying, are is the auxiliary supporting studying to indicate ongoing action. A linking verb does a different job: it connects the subject to a description or predicate, and can even be the main verb itself, as in The soup tastes delicious. It doesn’t build the tense or voice of a verb phrase with another verb. So the idea that an auxiliary verb goes with a main verb best expresses how these verbs function together.

Auxiliary verbs attach to a main verb to form a verb phrase that carries tense, aspect, voice, or mood. This relationship—an auxiliary working with a main verb to express more than the base meaning—is what this statement captures. For example, in She has finished, has is the auxiliary helping the main verb finished to show the present perfect. In They are studying, are is the auxiliary supporting studying to indicate ongoing action. A linking verb does a different job: it connects the subject to a description or predicate, and can even be the main verb itself, as in The soup tastes delicious. It doesn’t build the tense or voice of a verb phrase with another verb. So the idea that an auxiliary verb goes with a main verb best expresses how these verbs function together.