Is Will A Linking Verb

Is "Will" a Linking Verb? Understanding Verb Functions in English Grammar

The question of whether "will" acts as a linking verb is a nuanced one, often sparking debate among grammar enthusiasts and language students alike. While "will" primarily functions as an auxiliary verb, indicating future tense, its role can sometimes blur the lines, leading to confusion. This comprehensive article delves into the intricacies of verb classification, focusing specifically on the characteristics of linking verbs and exploring instances where "will" might appear to exhibit similar behavior. We’ll examine the core functions of "will," differentiate it from true linking verbs, and clarify its role in various sentence structures. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of why "will" is generally not considered a linking verb, even in seemingly ambiguous cases.

Understanding Linking Verbs: A Foundation

Before dissecting the role of "will," let's establish a solid understanding of what constitutes a linking verb. Linking verbs, also known as copular verbs, connect the subject of a sentence to a subject complement. This complement, typically an adjective, noun, or pronoun, provides further information about the subject, describing its state of being, identity, or characteristics. The most common linking verbs are forms of the verb "to be" (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been), but others exist, including verbs that express senses (seem, appear, become, feel, smell, taste, sound, look).

The key characteristic of a linking verb is its function as a bridge, not an action verb. It doesn't describe an action the subject performs; instead, it links the subject to a description or identification. Consider these examples:

• She is intelligent. ("Is" links "She" to the adjective "intelligent.")
• He became a doctor. ("Became" links "He" to the noun "doctor.")
• The soup smells delicious. ("Smells" links "soup" to the adjective "delicious.")

The Primary Function of "Will": The Auxiliary Verb

Unlike true linking verbs, "will" primarily serves as an auxiliary verb. Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, assist the main verb in expressing tense, mood, or voice. "Will" is crucial in forming the future tense in English. It doesn't stand alone; it always accompanies another verb to express action or a state of being projected into the future.

• She will travel to Europe next year. ("Will" helps "travel" express future tense.)
• They will be happy to see you. ("Will" assists "be" in expressing future tense.)
• He will have finished his work by then. ("Will" helps the perfect infinitive "have finished" express future perfect tense.)

In these examples, "will" doesn't link the subject to a description; it modifies the main verb's tense. It's an integral part of the verb phrase, indicating when the action or state of being will occur, not describing the subject's inherent qualities.

Examining Seemingly Ambiguous Cases

Now, let's address the instances where the function of "will" might appear less clear-cut. Some sentences could arguably be interpreted in ways that seem to align with a linking verb’s function. However, a closer examination reveals that "will" maintains its auxiliary role.

Consider the sentence: "The outcome will be uncertain." It's tempting to view "will" as linking "outcome" to "uncertain." However, "will be" is still expressing future tense. The sentence predicts the future state of the outcome, not describing its current inherent characteristic. "Uncertain" is a predicate adjective describing the future state, not the present state of the outcome.

Another example: "The flowers will seem brighter tomorrow." Here again, “will seem” forms a future tense verb phrase. It's forecasting a future sensory perception, not directly linking "flowers" to an inherent quality. The brightness is projected onto a future perception, not describing an inherent property of the flowers themselves.

The Crucial Difference: Subject-Complement Relationship

The fundamental distinction between a linking verb and an auxiliary verb like "will" lies in the subject-complement relationship. Linking verbs directly establish a relationship where the complement describes or identifies the subject. Auxiliary verbs, on the other hand, modify the main verb, influencing its tense, aspect, or mood without directly linking the subject to a descriptive complement.

In sentences with "will," even if the complement appears to describe the subject, the description is projected into the future tense, modified by the auxiliary verb "will". This is a crucial detail that separates the function of "will" from true linking verbs.

Contrasting "Will" with True Linking Verbs

To solidify the understanding, let's directly compare sentences using "will" with those using authentic linking verbs:

• Will-sentence: "The project will be completed next week." ("Will be" indicates future completion; "completed" is a predicate adjective describing the future state.)
• Linking Verb Sentence: "The project is completed." ("Is" links "project" to "completed," describing its current state.)

In the first sentence, the future tense is crucial; the project isn't inherently "completed" in the present. In the second, the sentence focuses on the present, completed state of the project.

Beyond Simple Sentences: Complex Structures with "Will"

The analysis becomes slightly more complex in longer, more intricate sentences. However, the core function of "will" remains consistent. Even in complex sentences, "will" continues to primarily serve as an auxiliary verb, modifying the tense of the main verb.

For example: "Because of the upcoming storm, the flight will likely be delayed, and passengers will become increasingly anxious." Here, "will be" and "will become" both mark future tense. "Delayed" and "anxious" are predicate adjectives describing future states, not inherent properties of the flight or passengers.

The presence of other verbs or clauses does not change the fundamental role of "will" as an auxiliary verb indicating future tense.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can "will" ever function as a modal verb?

A: Yes. While primarily an auxiliary verb marking future tense, "will" can also function as a modal verb, expressing willingness, intention, or determination. In this case, it doesn't link the subject to a complement; it modifies the main verb to express a particular modality. For example: "I will help you." Here, "will" expresses willingness, not future tense in the same way it would in "I will be tired tomorrow."

Q: What if "will" is followed by a predicate nominative?

A: Even if "will" is followed by a predicate nominative (a noun or pronoun that renames the subject), it does not transform into a linking verb. The sentence is still projecting a future state. For instance: "She will be the CEO next year." "Will be" points to a future position, not a current identity.

Q: Are there any exceptions to this rule?

A: In highly informal or colloquial speech, the lines can sometimes blur, and interpretations might differ. However, in standard English grammar, "will" consistently acts as an auxiliary verb for the future tense or as a modal verb expressing volition, not as a linking verb.

Conclusion: "Will" Remains an Auxiliary Verb

In conclusion, while the role of "will" can sometimes seem ambiguous, a thorough examination of its function within sentences consistently reveals that it primarily acts as an auxiliary verb. It primarily indicates future tense or volition, modifying the main verb, not directly linking the subject to a descriptive complement like a true linking verb. Even in complex sentence structures or when followed by predicate adjectives or nominatives, "will" maintains its role as a helper verb, forecasting future states or actions, not describing inherent characteristics. Therefore, despite occasional appearances to the contrary, "will" is definitively not a linking verb in standard English grammar.