Katrien Vanassche E-mail: K1Asakura@aol.com
KATRIEN
VANASSCHE'S
LINKING
VERBS
CONTENTS
SENTENCE PATTERNS
LISTS OF THE MOST COMMON LINKING
VERBS
Definition:
Linking verbs or copular
verbs link a subject to a complement. Linking verbs MUST be followed by
a complement in order to make the sentence complete. The complement can
be a subject complement or an adverbial, and occurs in two sentence types
which are of the Subject-Verb-Complement (SVC)
and Subject-Verb-Adverbial (SVA) pattern.
Return
to Main Menu.
Types:
There
are two groups of linking verbs: current linking verbs and resulting linking
verbs.
Current linking verbs indicate a state. (current
linking verbs) Resulting linking verbs indicate that the role of the
verb complement is a result of the process described in the verb. (resulting
linking verbs)
Return
to Main Menu.
Sentence
Patterns:
Subject-Verb-Complement
We can distinguish the following patterns:
A. The complement is a noun phrase or noun clause:
- This is a really nice outfit.
- The anwer is that we don't want to go to the
party.
- He became a beggar.
B. To be can occur between the linking
verb and the complement. Although this "to be" is not necessary,
both American English and British English prefer an infinitive construction
with to be rather than simply a noun phrase.
- She seems (to be) all right.
- He proved (to be) a good husband.
- She appears (to be) exhausted.
NOTE:
a) There is also a tendency , especially in AME,
to prefer a construction in which the verb is followed by like: It seems
like she does not want to go to school..
b) Some linking verbs are restricted as to the
words that may occur in their complement. Examples are: rest (assured),
run (wild), plead (innocent), fall (silent).
C. The complement is an adjective.
- He became very restless (when his son did not
come home on time).
- Your house looks very clean.
- She stayed calm.
Return
to Definition.
Return
to Main Menu.
Sentence
Patterns:
Subject-Verb-Adverbial
The main linking verb that allows an adverbial
as complementation is to be. The most common adverbials are place
and time adverbials.
- Tom is in the bathroom..
- My uncle lives in Belgium.
- The party will be at three o'clock.
Return
to Definition.
Return
to Main Menu.
The
Verb BE:
Some grammarians refer to the verb be as
"the copula" since this is its main function in English. All
the forms of be can be used as a linking verb. Be is
the main verb of the sentence, rather than the auxiliary and is used in
both SVC and SVA patterns.
- I am at the office between 9 and 5.
- This is a really good class.
- Those books were very expensive.
- The students have been exhausted since the midterm.
- Their wedding will be in early May.
Return
to Main Menu.
Lists
of the most common linking verbs:
Current
Linking Verbs
| appear
|
John appeared happy when the company promoted
him. |
| be |
The graduate students are in Classroom South,
Room 106. |
| feel |
She felt really happy with the new baby. |
| lie |
The pieces lay scattered over the floor. |
| look |
This person looks really tired. |
| remain |
Everybody remained silent for a few minutes. |
| seem |
This secretary seems (to be) very efficient. |
| smell |
That perfume smelled so fresh. |
| sound |
She sounded very surprised when she
heard the news. |
| stay |
Everybody stayed calm when the fire alarm went
off. |
| taste |
This grapefruit tastes very bitter. |
Return
to Types.
Return
to Main Menu.
Resulting
Linking Verbs
| become
|
He became a successful business man. |
| get |
She got upset with her students. |
| grow |
The professor grew unhappy because the students
were not listening well. |
| fall |
My brother fell in love at the party. |
| prove |
The new secretary proved (to be) very friendly. |
| run |
The children ran wild. |
| turn |
The milk turned sour. |
Return
to Types.
Return
to Main Menu.
Resources:
- Byrd, P. & Benson, B. (1992). Applied
English Grammar. Boston: Heinle & Heinle. pp. 31-32, p.432.
- Greenbaum S. & Quirk, R. (1990). A Student's
Grammar of English Language. Essex, England: Longman. pp.205207, pp.343-344.
- Leech, G. & Svartvik, J. (1975). A Communicative
Grammar of English. Essex, England: Longman. p. 212, pp.297-299.
- Richards, J., Platt, J. & Platt, H. (1992).
Dictionary of Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics. Essex,
England: Longman. p.88.
- Byrd, P. (1997). English Grammar and Pedagogical
Grammars. [On-line]. Availble: http://www.gsu.edu/~eslhpb/grammar/Sentpart#Verb
Types.
Return
to Main Menu.
Return to Grammar Lists