Page 22 - Grammar_Programme

More About Linking Verbs:

Here are some more examples of ‘being’ (‘linking’) verbs:
shall should can could will would

may might has have

In the examples below, they have linked with one or more other verbs to make
sense in the sentence:

I should tidy my desk. He could change his mind.

Lisa would like to go to Paris. She has been ill.

They will go to the gym tomorrow. You may leave now.

The boy will have asked for help.

Hessa should have gone home. We would have liked to swim.

I might have been watching the match on TV.

So you can see that the verb in a sentence can be made up of two or more words!

Let’s add some different linking verbs to the sentence ‘I go to the gym’ to
see how the meaning of the sentence is changed:

... if I am not too tired

I might go to the gym. when I finish work.

... because I have paid
I can go to the gym. my membership fee.

I should go to the gym. ... because I need

the exercise.

I could go to the gym. ... I have time so
this is possible.

I will go to the gym.

... this is definite!

Linking verbs can also be used to show you the difference between something
being definite (and a fact) and something being possible (or an opinion). See
below:

Going to the gym will make you healthier. (Definite – FACT)
Going to the gym might make you healthier. (Possible – OPINION)

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