Helping verb or linking verb
The children were disappointed when the game was canceled. Is were a helping verb or a linking verb???
Top answer
The children were disappointed when the game was canceled. Strictly speaking it's ambiguous. It could be a complex-intransitive clause, in which case "were" is a 'linking' verb, and "disappointed" an adjective relating to "the children".
- The children were disappointed when the game was canceled.
- Strictly speaking it's ambiguous.
- It could be a complex-intransitive clause, in which case "were" is a 'linking' verb, and "disappointed" an adjective relating to "the children".
- This interpretation is supported by the fact that modification by "very" is possible, ("very" modifies adjectives, but not verbs): The children were very disappointed by the actions of the referee when the game was canceled.
- On the other hand, it could be a passive construction, where "were" is a passive auxiliary verb (your 'helping' verb) and "disappointed" a past participle.
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The children were disappointed when the game was canceled.
Strictly speaking it's ambiguous. It could be a complex-intransitive clause, in which case "were" is a 'linking' verb, and "disappointed" an adjective relating to "the children". This interpretation is supported by the fact that modification by "very" is possible, ("very" modifies adjectives, but not verbs):
The c
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