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copulative verb

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  Ed Good  —  Grammar Tips
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It's not what you think. Or hope.

A copulative verb is a verb form that joins a subject to an adjective or to another noun. The verb to be is a copulative verb. So are the linking verbs (seem, appear, look, become, and others).

The verb to be may join a subject to a noun or an adjective. Study these two examples:

John is my friend. (noun)

John is happy. (adjective)

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5 Comments
  • morit
    morit
    It's not just to nouns or adjectives, but also adverbials. Example:

    John is at home
    LikeReply 13 years ago
  • মোহাম্মদ রেজাউল বিন হাসমত
    মোহাম্মদ রেজাউল বিন হাসমত
    Nice ........................................................................
    LikeReply 16 years ago
    • STANDS4
      STANDS4
      Thanks Reza!
      LikeReply6 years ago
  • Calidguid Lexe
    Calidguid Lexe
    ohws.. thanks for this article
    \
    LikeReply 18 years ago
  • Albert Marsico
    Albert Marsico
    Others: 'to feel', 'to seem', etc.
    LikeReply 28 years ago
  • María Eugenia F. D'Angelo
    María Eugenia F. D'Angelo
    That's a very clear explanation, thank you!
    Now, I'm having troubles identifying when the verb 'to be' expresses attribution or identification, within the relational process. Can you help me out?
    LikeReply 28 years ago

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