Linking verbs can NEVER be helping verbs.
* Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a noun, pronoun, or adjective that renames or describes the subject. They don't show action. Examples: *is, am, are, was, were, be, been, being, seem, appear, become, feel, look, smell, taste, sound*
* Helping verbs assist the main verb in a sentence. They show tense, mood, or voice. Examples: *do, does, did, have, has, had, will, would, shall, should, may, might, can, could, must*
Why they can't be both:
* Different Functions: Linking verbs connect and describe, while helping verbs support action.
* Sentence Structure: Linking verbs are the main verb in a sentence, while helping verbs work alongside another verb.
Example:
* Linking verb: "The sky is blue." (Is connects the subject "sky" to the description "blue")
* Helping verb: "He is walking." (Is helps the main verb "walking" to show present continuous tense)
Key takeaway: Linking verbs and helping verbs have distinct roles and cannot fulfill both functions in the same instance.