Order of words in a sentence
An important feature of the English sentence is a strictly defined word order. Unlike the Russian language, English verbs do not have personal endings, and nouns, adjectives and pronouns do not have case endings, so the relationship between words is determined by word order. If the word order is violated, the meaning of the sentence is violated.
Word order in a declarative sentence
The normal word order in a declarative sentence is: subject + verb. If the verb has an object, it usually follows the verb: Subject + Predicate + Object.
Example: I can see my friend. - I see my friend.
Circumstances are most often at the very beginning or at the very end of the sentence.
Word order in an interrogative sentence
General question is a question that can be answered "yes" or "no". Word order in a general question:
auxiliary or modal verb or linking verb + subject + predicate.
Example: Can youswim? - Can you swim?
Special question is a question that starts with a question word. English interrogative words: what - what, what; when - when; where - where; why - why; how - how; whose - whose; which - which; who - who; whom - whom. Word order in a special question:
interrogative word + auxiliary or modal verb + subject + predicate.
The word order in the special question is the same as the word order in the general question. The only difference is that the question word comes first. The question to the subject has its own characteristics. In a question to the subject of a sentence, in place of the subject (i.e. at the beginning of the sentence) there is an interrogative word; the order of the remaining members of the sentence is the same as in the declarative sentence.
Example: Who can swim? - Who can swim?
That is, it all comes down to substituting the interrogative word who or what (who or what) into the place of the subject. No more changes are made.
Word order in a negative sentence
Subject + auxiliary or modal verb or linking verb + particle not + predicate.
Example: He does not read. - He doesn't read.
Linking verb in English
A linking verb in English (Copular Verb) is a word that helps you establish a connection between the subject and the compound nominal predicate, namely, agree on them in number, person and tense so that you don’t get something like “He will go yesterday” .
Unlike other languages, a verb must always be present in an English predicate: regular, modal, bundle. If it doesn't, then you definitely made a mistake.
The most common linking verb in English is to be- be. It can be used both in its original form and others.
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In English there is such a thing as a linking verb. Why did we decide to touch on this topic? Because most students believe that the linking verb and the auxiliary verb are the same, however, this is not the case. To begin with, we note that the linking verb in different sources may sound differently in English: linking verbs, copulative verbs, state of being verbs or being verbs, but all these terms denote the same phenomenon.
Auxiliary verbs
As for the auxiliary verb, in English it sounds like an auxiliary verb and is necessary for the formation of interrogative and negative sentences. Each grammatical tense has its own auxiliary verbs, for example, in continuous tenses - these are forms of the verb to be, in simple or indefinite - do, and in perfect - forms of the verb have. Auxiliary verbs are rarely found in affirmative sentences and are not translated into Russian - they seem to be there - and they seem to be gone.
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As for the linking verb, it does not express the action of the subject, i.e. does not answer the question "what to do?" and is not a semantic verb. This type of verb connects the subject and the noun, adjective or pronoun that defines or characterizes it.
Linking verbs
English is the most common linking verb, and probably most students confuse linking verbs with auxiliary verbs precisely because it is also an auxiliary. Here are examples of the linking verb to be in different tenses.
- I am hungry.
- She is a good doctor.
- The flowers were beautiful.
- That was a nice film.
- That man might have been a robber.
Linking verbs are second in popularity. seem And become. Concerning seem, then this verb is always a connective, and become— usually, but not always.
- Your sister seems smart. (linking verb: connects sister and clever)
- When she returns home she becomes a good mother and wife. (linking verb: connects she and mother and wife)
As a semantic verb become means " fit, look good”:
- That dress certainly becomes her. This dress definitely suits her.
- another popular verb that can serve as a semantic verb and a linking verb:
- I get to my office by bus. (semantic)
- She got pale when she heard the news. (bundle)
The ten English verbs that can be both semantic and linking verbs are: appear, turn, feel, prove, grow, sound, look, taste, smell, remain:
- The apples appear ripe. (bundle)
- He suddenly appeared from behind the tree. (semantic)
- I feel sick because of the nausea. (bundle)
- Feel the difference by tasting this sauce! (semantic)
- Poor Emma grew old. (bundle)
- We grow white roses in our garden. (semantic)
- Mother looked tired after working in the garden. (bundle)
- Jane looked under the bed but didn't find her slips. (semantic)
- Her opinion proved right. (bundle)
- I proved my theory in a modern way. (semantic)
- Our relations remain neutral. (bundle)
- Little of my patience remained. (semantic)
- The cake smells delicious. (bundle)
- I smelled something rotten. (semantic)
- That music sounded strange to my ears. (bundle)
- The crew member sounded the alarm when it wasn't necessary. (semantic)
- The meat tastes good. (bundle)
- I couldn't taste pepper in the meatballs. (semantic)
- She turned pale. (bundle)
- I turned right when I reached the corner. (semantic)
How to determine what a particular verb is in a sentence?
If you are not sure which verb is a link and which is a semantic verb, try the following:
1. Replace the verb with the verb form “to be”, as in the sentence “The cake smells delicious = the cake is delicious”. Despite the fact that we replaced smells with is, the meaning remains the same, which means that smells in this case is a linking verb. If, as a result of such manipulation, the sentence acquires a new meaning or the sentence becomes meaningless, then this is a semantic verb.
2. Change the word order in the sentence according to the following pattern: The cake smells delicious = delicious smells the cake. It sounds a little strange, given that delicious is an adjective, but the original thought remains, which means smells is a linking verb.
Delving into the English language, you will learn to distinguish a linking verb from a semantic one, noting the connection between the subject and the verb. A linking verb forms a bridge between the subject and the word that defines or describes it. Semantic verbs involve the subject in the action, forcing him to do something in this case.
Verb- This is an independent part of speech that expresses the action of an object or person or their state. Verbs answer the question what to do?», « what to do?».
English verbs change according to faces(I, You, He, etc.), numbers(singular or plural) time in a sentence. Verbs have passive and active voice, mood and four aspect (indefinite, continuous, perfect and perfect continuous). There are also transitional And intransitive Verbs.
- I work every Sunday and Matt works as well.– I work every Sunday and Matt also works. (various faces)
- Ann worked yesterday and she will work tomorrow. Ann worked yesterday and she will work tomorrow. (different time)
- This project must be finished today. Work! This project should be finished today. Work! (passive and imperative)
Verbs English may have the same forms with other parts of speech (nouns, adjectives), but verbs are often used with the particle to in the form of the infinitive and stand in the sentence after the subject.
- You answer is correct.- Your answer is correct. (noun)
- You have to answer all my questions. You must answer all my questions. (verb)
- Claire quit her job and her friend Monica acted in a like manner. Claire quit her job and her friend Monica did the same. (adjective)
- I really like this book.– I really like this book. (verb)
Types of verbs by education
Verbs of the English language are divided into simple, derivatives, complex And composite Verbs.
Simple verbs(simple verbs) consist of a single root without adding suffixes or prefixes.
- to play - play
- to look - look
- to read - read
- to love - to love
Derived verbs(derived verbs) are formed using certain suffixes and prefixes added to the root of the verb.
- to undo- unfasten, return
- to pur ify- cleanse
- to import port- to import, import
- to critic ise- to criticize
Compound verbs(compound verbs) are formed by merging two stems into one word. In English, such verbs are rare.
- to daydream - daydream, dream
- to brainwash - brainwash
- to browbeat - intimidate, scare
- to kickstart - whip up, give impetus
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- Teddy is my best friend.- Teddy is my best friend.
- Mom becomes very angry when I break something. Mom gets very angry when I break something.
- You look tired. You should rest a bit.- You look tired . You need to rest.
Auxiliary verbs
Auxiliary verbs(auxiliary verbs) - verbs that have completely lost their lexical meaning (not translated) and are used to form grammatical structures and forms of verbs. The categories are expressed through them. faces, numbers And time.
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- Will you be free tomorrow? Will you be free tomorrow?
- I don't know this woman. I have never seen her before.“I don't know this woman. I've never seen her before.
- We are working this week so we shall go to the zoo next Sunday. We are working this week, so we will go to the zoo next Sunday.
Modal verbs
Modal verbs(modal verbs) - a special group of verbs that have a certain lexical meaning (the attitude of the speaker to a certain action) but cannot be used independently, without semantic verb.
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- how dare you come here! How dare you come here!
- You shall not pass!- You shall not pass! (I won't let you)
- Jack could have helped us. Jack could help us.
Verbs with different functions
Sometimes the same English verb can have different meanings and thus belong to different groups of verbs.
- I do exercises every morning.- I exercise every morning. (semantic verb)
- Do you want to go to the party?- Do you want to go to the party? (auxiliary)
- Now turn right and stop the car near that big tree. Now turn right and stop the car at that big tree. (semantic verb)
- Ann turned red when we started to talk about Paul. Ann blushed when we started talking about Paul. (linking verb)
Majority auxiliary verbs can be used as modal, but already getting a different shade of value.
- I shall do my homework tomorrow. I'm lazy now.– I will do my homework tomorrow. I'm lazy now. (auxiliary)
- You shall not say such things in my house!"Don't you dare say such things in my house!" (modal verb)
- Kate woke me up early so I should not miss my bus. Kate woke me up early so I wouldn't miss my bus. (auxiliary verb should as past form of shall)
- You shouldn't have said these words to Alice.“You shouldn't have said those words to Alice. (should as a modal verb)
Verb forms
Infinitive
At regular verbs(regular verbs) this form is formed with the ending -ed .
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Past participle in regular verbs matches the shape past indefinite tense(adding the ending -ed).
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Irregular Verbs(irregular verbs) have unique past participle forms.
- to break → broken
- set → set
- to show → shown
- to do → done
Aspect of verbs
Aspect(aspect) of verbs indicates the peculiarity of the course of action in time, its completeness or duration. In English, the verb has four aspects: uncertain(or general), perfect, long And completely lengthy aspect. The aspect of the verb is directly related to its tense.
General or indefinite aspect verb (simple aspect or indefinite aspect) indicates an action, the time of which is not defined, facts. The general tenses include Present Simple, Past Simple and Future Simple.
- I eat cakes.– I eat cakes. (no clear indication of timing or frequency of action)
- I ate cakes.- I ate cakes.
- I will eat cakes.– I will eat cakes.
Perfect Aspect(perfect aspect) indicates an action completed in time or an action that precedes another action in a sentence. This aspect includes the perfect (completed) tenses of your cake. (at the moment, emphasis on action)
Perfect continuous aspect(perfect progressive aspect) expresses an action that lasted for some time up to a certain point and may continue after it. Verbs in the form of this form often answer the question " how long?". It is expressed in times Present Perfect Continuous, Past Perfect Continuous and Future Perfect Continuous.
- I have been eating this cake for an hour. I have (already) been eating this cake for an hour. (how long?)
- Last time I had been eating that cake for an hour. Last time I ate that cake for an hour.
- I will have been eating a cake for an hour next time. Next time I will eat cake for (a whole) hour.
Transitivity of verbs
In English, allocate transitional And intransitive Verbs.
transitive verbs(transitive verbs) express an action that passes to a specific object or is performed on it. This item is a direct complement to the sentence. After transitive verbs, you can ask the question " whom?», « What?».
- I'm writing a letter. I am (now) writing a letter.
- I wash my dog every week. I bathe my dog every week.
- Matt called me yesterday. Matt called me yesterday.
Intransitive verbs(intransitive verbs) indicate an action that does not require an addition. Often intransitive verbs express movement, position in space, the state of an object. After them, an indirect object (with prepositions) can be used.
- Rachel is laughing. Rachel laughs.
- I fell from the stairs yesterday.- I fell down the stairs yesterday.
- Horses gallop in the field.- The horses are galloping in the field.
Many English verbs, depending on the context, can be either transitional, and intransitive verbs.
- I am singing because I am happy.- I sing because I'm happy.
- I always sing this song when I'm happy.– I always sing this song when I am happy.
- Stop the car here, please.– Stop the car here, please.
- The car stopped here.- The car stopped here.
Greetings my dear reader.
Have you ever heard the phrase "verb link in English"? If not, then today I will tell you about something without which your English will not improve one gram! We are waiting for a conversation about the connector to be, its forms and, so be it, we will also talk about the rest)).
What is it and what is it used for?
It is probably difficult for a Russian-speaking person to understand how a verb can link other words, but you will have to figure it out. This very link does not describe the action, but connects the subject and the predicate (sometimes the object). Well, nothing without it, to be honest! It's like the glue that sticks the cup and the handle to it.
Let's look at examples:
She is a teacher. - She is a teacher.
They are a good team.- They are a good team.
I am an astronaut.- I'm an astronaut.
In these examples, we see that we always use the verb to be (be) in shape am, is or are . These forms are the links. You can easily define them - they are not transferred into Russian and you can put an equal sign instead.
She is a teacher.- She is a teacher.
To be or not to be: all the smallest details!
As already mentioned, the phrase to be is not translated into Russian in any way in such cases, but is an obligatory part of the English version. Without it, everything just loses its meaning.
In grade 2, children are explained how this verb is used with the help of a fairy tale. Let's take a look at one of its options:
Well, do you understand better? Just remember that 90% of the time you will have to use forms to be.
What to do with the past tense? - you ask. To which I will answer you the following: also use to be, only in very different forms. See:
Just remember that the translation of the sentence will change with time. If in the present tense we instead to be we can put an equal sign, then in the past tense was And were translated as " was, was, was, were».
In order to finally understand and hone this and other topics of English grammar, purchase Online English grammar course for beginners from LinguaLeo without hesitation - the theme of the verb bundle, articles, prepositions, basic tenses and phenomena are fully disclosed there. It is also fixed by all the cool and interesting exercises. Try the first part of the course for free and see what I mean.
A little deeper
It turns out that in English there is not only a connector to be. Sometimes already in the 3rd grade, schoolchildren are faced with the fact that, it turns out, the function of the phrase to be other words can also be used, for example, seem, become,feel and others.
Let's see some examples:
It sounds cool.- Sounds great.
He got angry.- He got angry.
She looks upset.- She looks distressed.
Of course, it is impossible to say that these are full-fledged linking words, but this cannot be denied either. These words connect parts of a sentence. Here is a table where you can see the most popular ligaments in English:
Let's look at examples:
He became more handsome. - He became more handsome.
She seems worried. - She seems flustered.
She felt sick. - She didn't feel well.
He looks surprised.- He looks surprised.
It sounds good. - Sounds great.
The food tastes fresh. - The food tastes fresh.
It smells sweet. - Smells sweet.
To understand this better, just remember that a sentence always needs some word "to support" the link. It never stands on its own. Therefore, if you want to be understood, use them for their intended purpose and correctly!
Well, can you now explain yourself what these incomprehensible ligaments are?
You seem to underestimate yourself...
In case you have any questions, ask them in the comments and I will answer them right away!
And if you want even more useful information - subscribe to my blog mailing list and constantly replenish the treasury of your knowledge.
I have prepared exercises for you on this topic -
And also an online test -
Until then, I say goodbye.
see you!
While you are learning English, I am sure that you have heard the phrase “connective verb” more than once. And what is it in general? What does he connect? How is it different from other verbs? Can't answer these questions? I will help you! My name is Anastasia, this is RE.
So, a linking verb is a verb that connects a subject with an object. It helps communicate information about an object without performing any action in the sentence.
I am a teacher - I am a teacher. I'm just a teacher, that's my profession. I provide information about myself.
Compare with the sentence: I work as a teacher - I work as a teacher. Here we have an action on the face - I work - that is, it is understood that I get up in the morning, go to the students, and so on. And in the first sentence with be - it's just my “state”, I can be completely unemployed at the moment.
That's just the verb be - this is a linking verb that grammatically connects the subject I and the object teacher. Do not forget that without a verb we cannot build sentences in English. Who has forgotten the sentence structure in English, be sure to watch the lesson on this topic, the link will be indicated in the description.
The following are the most commonly used linking verbs:
Appear/look/seem
be
feel
grow
smell
sound
taste
turn
However, they are not links in all their meanings! Only when they describe a state. This is very important to understand, because, firstly, we do not use linking verbs in the tenses of the continuous group, and secondly, they are usually followed by either an adjective, or a noun, or an adjective with a noun, or a phrase with prepositions - in general, words that give information about the subject.
Grammatically, linking verbs behave like ordinary verbs - for example, all but to be require the auxiliary verb do/does in questions and negatives in the present simple.
So why is it important? Let's take again the verb be - to be, to be, to be somewhere.
They ask you how are you? After all, they ask about the state, right? Not about action. Well, for example, you are doing well:
I am fine/good. - I'm fine. See the difference? We translate into Russian with the help of the adverb “good”, while in English we need an adjective - fine, good.
And some verbs can be connectives or action verbs depending on their meaning. For example:
She didn't appear / look / seem surprised at the news. - The three verbs are essentially synonyms here. She did not / looked / seemed surprised by the news.
However, do not forget that the verb appear - is also translated as “to appear” - and in this sense it is no longer a bundle, because. expresses action:
The sun was slowly appearing from behind the clouds. - here we can use this verb in continuous.
The same thing happens with the verb grow, for example.
Become (Synonym - become) - does not express action, this is a state.
When I grow old, I want to live somewhere in the South - When I get old (become old), I want to live somewhere in the south. Grow is followed by an adjective.
Action - Grow:
Children grow fast! - Children grow up fast! - grow, this is already an action, this is a kind of physical process. While “becoming old” means acquiring a new/different state. And as you can see, there is no noun or adjective after grow in this example,
The same thing happens with the verb smell.
Oh, it smells nice - Oh, it smells nice. Smells is a state. The object does not perform any action, it just exudes a smell.
She was smelling the perfume for a long time - She was smelling perfume for a long time. - She took action. Here, smell is no longer a link. Therefore, we can safely use it in Continuous time.
Turn - also has many meanings. For example, turning around is obviously a physical action.
He was turning very slowly. He turned very slowly. Since this is not a linking verb, I can use Continuous with peace of mind, put the adverb - slowly.
And also turn can be a synonym for become- become - for example, red:
He turned red. - He became red - linking verb + adjective red.
How to determine when the verb is a link, and when the verb of action? If in doubt, look in the dictionary: in a good source, linking verb or link verb will always be marked next to the meaning in which the verb acts as a link. Well, always look at the general meaning: is there an action in the sentence? Or are we talking about the state of taste, smell, appearance? By the way, for additional verification, try replacing the verb with to be. The sentence changed the meaning somewhat, but is it still there? So you have a linking verb.
