Relational Verbs: Linking Words
Relational verbs, also known as linking verbs, are verbs that connect the subject of a sentence to a noun, pronoun, or adjective that renames or describes the subject. They don't show action but rather express a state of being, a relationship, or a condition.
Here's a breakdown:
Key Features:
* Connect subject to a complement: They link the subject to another word or phrase that provides further information about it.
* Don't express action: They describe the subject's state or condition.
* Often followed by a noun, pronoun, or adjective: This complement provides the additional information about the subject.
Common Relational Verbs:
* Forms of "be": is, am, are, was, were, been, being
* Other verbs: appear, become, feel, grow, look, remain, seem, smell, sound, taste, turn
Examples:
* "She is a doctor." (Subject: She, Relational Verb: is, Complement: a doctor)
* "The sky looks gray." (Subject: The sky, Relational Verb: looks, Complement: gray)
* "He felt happy." (Subject: He, Relational Verb: felt, Complement: happy)
Distinguishing from Action Verbs:
* Action Verbs: Describe an action, such as "run," "jump," "eat," "write."
* Relational Verbs: Describe a state of being, a relationship, or a condition.
Important Notes:
* Not all forms of "be" are relational: For example, "They are playing" is not a relational verb because "playing" is an action.
* "Become" can be relational or action verb: "She became a doctor" (relational), "She became friends with him" (action).
Understanding relational verbs is essential for constructing grammatically correct and clear sentences. They play a crucial role in conveying information about the subject's state, condition, or relationship with other elements in the sentence.