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Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Wordworking: B is for...

 the linking verb To BE(see how I used an article showing it's a specific linking verb?)



And to take us through the entire conjugation is TEFL Songs

be
am
is
was
were
have been
has been
had been
will be
will have been
would be
would have been

In answer to Hamlet, I choose NOT TO BE, as most linking verbs are passive.

Are you doing the A to Z challenge? Let me know and I'll be sure to come by and say hello. Have any thoughts on To Be? Hamlet? Getting stung by bees because you're not sure if you're supposed to use have been or has been?

Write on:D

25 comments:

  1. Yes, be is a useful linking verb even if we're told not to use it much.

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    1. The song cracks me up. I'm not sure why. And yes, try not to use to be:)

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  2. When I moved to PA I encountered a regional speech characteristic that simply drives me insane: people drop very necessary linking verbs. "Work needs to be done" turns into "Work needs done" and "the car needs to be washed" turns into "car needs washed". It makes me absolutely INSANE!

    Thank you for championing these necessary language components!

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    1. Interesting. I can understand your frustration. Hmmm...I'm mainly a Southern and West Coast girl, so I haven't encountered that before. So do you correct them, or have you found yourself slipping from time to time?

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  3. I once heard that sometimes when a linking verb like "have been" it makes your sentence passive. Good to know what they are so you can watch out for them :)

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    1. Yup, linking verbs increase wordiness and are almost always passive. Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. Ha. Great answer to Hamlet's question. Keep it active!

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  5. Haha, love it!

    Konstanz Silverbow
    nothoughts2small.blogspot.com
    A-to-Z April Blogging Challenge Co-host
    www.a-to-zchallenge.com

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  6. I learned recently that people from Pennsylvania tend to drop the linking verbs. Yet, it certainly makes speech more streamlined. To Be verbs are the bane (one of them) of my writing, that's for sure. Stopping by from the A-Z; I'm your newest follower.

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    1. Thanks Cathy. Interesting about Pennsylvania. I'm constantly weeding out To be verbs, so you're in good company.

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  7. Love the to bee or not to bee. Fun!

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    1. Glad you like the bees. When I saw that image I had to use it:D

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  8. Wow so many variations when they're laid out in front of us. I have to weed out the little buggers when I revise cuz I'm guilty!!

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    1. We all do it. Writing, I've determined, as all about the rewriting.

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  9. To bee, or not to bee. I want the honey, and not the sting!

    :)

    Cat

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    1. Yes, someone that appreciate the bees-thanks for stopping by:D

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  10. Unique post- I like it!

    (Stopping by from the A to Z Challenge)

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  11. Great grammar post. Such a fun twist!

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    1. Thanks Janeal:D We'll see if you're saying that by the time I get to Z!

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  12. This is a great reminder and I love how you presented it.

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  13. I'm so glad you chose this theme. I need these posts!

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  14. I've been stung many times but the worst was my thumb, because the swelling...

    Love Hamlet.
    I've actually mapped out a YA that sort of echoes the story ;-)

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    Replies
    1. I bet your story is great. I love retellings (loose or otherwise)

      My worst bee sting was on the bottom of my foot. I can imagine the thumb being frustrating--baking soda and water to the rescue.

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  15. One of my old journals has "I am" written in as many languages as possible on the inner front cover. As a teen, I was fascinated with how many ways that little phrase could look and sound.

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