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My mum's bag is blue.

Is is an auxiliary verb in that sentence? If not, what is it?

Is “is” an auxiliary verb in the sentence “John is working now”?
was suggested as a possible duplicate, but that post doesn't answer this question because it is about a different kind of sentence ("John is working now" is a progressive/continuous construction, but "My Mum's bag is blue" is not).

herisson
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"Is" is a verb of being, also called a "copula".

copula |ˈkäpyələ| noun Logic & Grammar a connecting word, in particular a form of the verb be connecting a subject and complement.

Robusto
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    Yep. It's also called a linking verb in some circles, including my old latin class, funnily enough. :) – kitukwfyer Apr 19 '11 at 01:17
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    In your example sentence, it is also the main verb (as opposed to being an auxiliary verb). – PLL Apr 19 '11 at 02:12
  • @PLL: Hmm, what is the definition of main verb? I gather it is not the same as a finite verb? Is it any non-auxiliary verb? – Cerberus - Reinstate Monica Apr 19 '11 at 12:20
  • Towson Education distinguishes (I believe wrongly) between 'verbs of being' and 'linking verbs': it muddles semantics and syntax more than is often the case. AHDEL attempts to distinguish the 'existential' main-verb usage (v.intr.
    1. To exist in actuality; have life or reality: I think, therefore I am.) from the copular, linking, main-verb usage (Mum's bag is blue / a doozie). Collins places constructions with locative complements (Bill is here) in this category. Auxiliary usages are very different.
     – Edwin Ashworth Sep 01 '14 at 08:03