Some languages, such as Russian and Turkish, do not use linking verbs (is, are, was, were) between subjects and complements (nouns or adjectives that rename or describe the subject). Every English sentence, however, must include a verb.

Although Standard English allows some linking verbs and helpingverbs to be contracted in informal contexts, it does not allow them to be omitted.

Linking verbs, used to link subjects to subject complements, are frequently a form of be: be, am, is, are, was, were, being, been. Some of these forms may be contracted (I’m, she’s, we’re, you’re, they’re), but they should not be omitted altogether.

Helping verbs, used with main verbs, include forms of be, do, and have and the modal verbs can, will, shall, could, would, should, may, might, and must. Some helping verbs may be contracted (he’s leaving, we’ll celebrate, they’ve been told), but they should not be omitted altogether.