Rpsh Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Auxiliary verb & Link verb
The boy are playing table tennis. .
In this sentence, I figure the word 'are' is an link verb, but the answer shows that it's an auxiliary verb. If it's a like verb, 'playing' here is a predicative. I know the noun can be the predicative, while 'playing' is a gerund, namely, a noun. Do you think I'm right? Could you tell me the difference between these two word classes, especially the 'be' verb?
In this sentence, I figure the word 'are' is an link verb, but the answer shows that it's an auxiliary verb. If it's a like verb, 'playing' here is a predicative. I know the noun can be the predicative, while 'playing' is a gerund, namely, a noun. Do you think I'm right? Could you tell me the difference between these two word classes, especially the 'be' verb?
Top answer
The boy s are playing table tennis. " In the progressive tenses "be" is an auxiliary verb. Compare with the simple present: The boy s play table tennis.
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The boys are playing table tennis.
This is the present progressive tense of "play." In the progressive tenses "be" is an auxiliary verb. Compare with the simple present:
The boys play table tennis.
As a linking verb, "be" associates (or equates) a subject with a complement (or predicate):
The boys are the best table tennis players in the
This is the present progressive tense of "play." In the progressive tenses "be" is an auxiliary verb. Compare with the simple present:
The boys play table tennis.
As a linking verb, "be" associates (or equates) a subject with a complement (or predicate):
The boys are the best table tennis players in the
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