COPULA

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COPULA. A VERB that joins a SUBJECT to its COMPLEMENT. A term in the GRAMMAR of English for the verb be, but often extended to other verbs with a similar function. These copular verbs (also linking verbs) can be divided semantically into two types: (1) Those like be that refer to a current state: appear, feel, remain, seem, sound. (2) Those that indicate a result of some kind: become, get (wet); go (bad); grow (old); turn (nasty). Be is the copula that most often takes adverbial complements: Maud was in the garden; Dinner is at seven. All others take subject complements which characterize or identify the subject: I felt cold; I felt a fool.

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