I wasn't suggesting "-n't" as a test for linking verbs, but for FINITE 
verbs (tense-marked).

Yes, "now" and "then" won't always work, but not very many tests work 
all the time. The teacher can control which sentences are used for 
these tests in the beginning, to help students develop the "feel" for 
the things they are looking for, so they eventually no longer need the 
tests.

And Marcia ... do the tests work?

Dr. Johanna Rubba, Associate Professor, Linguistics
Linguistics Minor Advisor
English Department
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Tel.: 805.756.2184
Dept. Ofc. Tel.: 805.756.2596
Dept. Fax: 805.756.6374
URL: http://www.cla.calpoly.edu/~jrubba

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