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Thecopulative sentences are those whose predicate includes a copulative verb, that is, that requires a component to complete its meaning. For example: The situation It seems to get better.
The copulative verbs need the figure of the obligatory subjective predicative, because by itself it cannot complete its meaning.
The classic copulative verbs are:
- Be
- To be
- Seem
- Resemble
To complete their meaning, these verbs need a noun, an adjective or an equivalent construction, which becomes an attribute or predicative.
These nouns, adjectives, or equivalent constructions can often be substituted for the invariable pronominal form "lo." Copulative sentences are also known as attributive sentences, because it is known as an attribute that complements the meaning of the copulative verb.
To the classic copulative verbs are added some others that, in most cases, also require an attribute: result, turn, become, turn, put on, stay or stay.
Verbs be Y to be They are not always followed by an attribute: they can be followed by a circumstantial complement of place and in those cases the sentences are predicative, not copulative. For example: My brother is in Ecuador at the moment / The party will be in a room.
- It can help you: Types of sentences
Examples of copulative sentences
Below we include a list of examples of copulative sentences, marking the copulative verb in bold.
- Miguel this very happy with the news.
- No you seem too excited about the idea.
- Sunday roast it is sacred to me.
- That are silly stuff.
- The problem are the years I spent teaching them that.
- It seems older than his brother.
- Are almost eight at night.
- Your age it is your best kept secret.
- I know put furious with the news.
- Is tired of always saying the same thing.
- Nicholas was warehouse manager at that time.
- Martha I was fed up with their rudeness.
- The car looked like new.
- Over time turned sullen and distrustful.
- Everybody they remained standing during the act.
- Am used to that.
- This move be a great challenge for Luis.
- That lady it is my aunt Juana.
- This room it is the best that I can offer you.
- They do not They were aware of the changes.
Types of copulative sentences
Some grammarians distinguish two types of copulative sentences:
- Pure copulatives or classifiers. By means of the attribute a quality or state of the core of the subject is indicated. For example: Martín is a baritone
- Copulativesidentifiers. A reciprocal identification is established between the core of the subject and the attribute. For example: The woman in glasses is my Latin teacher.
Unlike what happens in predicative sentences, in which there is always a number agreement between the subject and the verb, in copulative sentences sometimes there is no such concordance between subject and attribute. Some copulative sentences, likewise, are impersonal structures, without a subject, such as those that account for specific temporal circumstances. For example: Today is Tuesday.
- See also: Copulative conjunctions
Can serve you
- Impersonal sentences
- One-person sentences
- Reciprocal sentences
- Transitive and intransitive sentences
