English Grammar: Linking Verbs (Copula)

Summary

In this educational video, Adam from EngVid.com delves into the concept of copula or linking verbs, which are essential for English learners to master. He explains that copula verbs, including 'be', 'seem', 'appear', and sensory verbs like 'sound', 'taste', 'smell', and 'feel', link the subject to its complement without implying action. Adam clarifies that these verbs should be followed by adjectives or nouns, not adverbs, and highlights the difference between stating facts with 'be' and expressing possibilities with other copula verbs. He also discusses the unique use of 'get' and 'become' to indicate change, providing examples to illustrate their correct usage.

Takeaways

• 📘 Copula or linking verbs are essential for linking the subject of a sentence with its complement, showing a relationship rather than action.
• 🔑 The primary copula verb is 'be', which comes in various forms such as 'am', 'is', 'are', 'was', 'were'.
• 👉 Other common copula verbs include 'seem', 'appear', and can be combined with 'to be' to form phrases like 'appear to be' or 'seem to be'.
• 👀 Sense verbs like 'sound', 'taste', 'smell', and 'feel' are also used as copula verbs to describe sensory experiences but are not action verbs in this context.
• ⚠️ Be cautious with verbs like 'sound' and 'look' as they can function as both action and copula verbs, depending on the context.
• 🔗 Copula verbs join the subject to a subject complement, which can be an adjective or a noun, and should not be mistaken for an object.
• 🚫 Copula verbs are not followed by adverbs but by adjectives or noun complements, indicating a state or condition.
• ✍️ 'Be' verbs state facts, while 'seem', 'appear', and similar verbs suggest possibilities or impressions rather than certainties.
• 🔄 The verbs 'get' and 'become' as copula verbs imply a change in state or condition, unlike 'be' which states a fact.
• 📈 'Become' and 'get' can take various forms (e.g., past, present, continuous) and always indicate a process of change or transformation.
• 📚 Understanding the correct use of copula verbs is crucial for clear and effective communication in English, particularly in writing.

Q & A

What are copula or linking verbs?

Copula or linking verbs are verbs that link or show a relationship between the subject of a sentence and its complement, often indicating a state of being or a characteristic.

What is the most common copula verb and its different forms?

The most common copula verb is 'be', which has different forms such as am, is, are, was, and were, depending on the tense and subject.

What are some other common copula verbs besides 'be'?

Other common copula verbs include 'seem', 'appear', 'look', 'sound', 'taste', 'smell', 'feel', 'become', and 'get'.

How do copula verbs differ from action verbs?

Copula verbs do not indicate action; instead, they link the subject with a state or condition. Action verbs, on the other hand, describe activities or movements.

Can 'sound', 'taste', 'smell', and 'feel' be used as action verbs?

Yes, 'sound', 'taste', 'smell', and 'feel' can also be used as action verbs, but in the context of copula verbs, they are used to describe sensory experiences without indicating action.

What is a subject complement?

A subject complement is a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and describes or renames the subject, providing more information about it.

Why are copula verbs not followed by adverbs?

Copula verbs are not followed by adverbs because they link the subject to a state or condition, which is typically expressed by adjectives or noun complements, not by adverbs that modify actions.

What is the difference between 'be' and 'seem' as copula verbs?

'Be' states a fact, while 'seem' suggests a possibility or impression. For example, 'He is tall' is a fact, whereas 'He seems tall' implies that it might be the case, but it's not certain.

How do 'become' and 'get' differ from other copula verbs when used as linking verbs?

'Become' and 'get', when used as copula verbs, suggest a change or transformation in state or condition, unlike other copula verbs that simply state or describe a state.

Can copula verbs be used in passive voice constructions?

Yes, copula verbs can be used in passive voice constructions, allowing for the description of states or conditions in a passive form, such as 'The house appears to have been damaged in the storm'.

Why is it incorrect to say 'She seems married' without 'to be'?

'She seems married' without 'to be' is incorrect because 'seems' in this context should be followed by an adjective describing a state or condition, and 'married' in this case is a state that requires 'to be' to form a proper copula construction.

How do you differentiate between 'become' and 'be' in terms of their usage?

'Become' indicates a process of change or transformation over time, while 'be' states a current fact or condition. For example, 'She has become a manager' shows a change in her career, whereas 'She is a manager' states her current role.