Link verb, also known as linking verb, is a type of verb that connects the subject of a sentence with a noun, adjective, or pronoun that complements it. The IPA phonetic transcription for link verb is /lɪŋk vɜrb/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, the letter "n" is pronounced with a "ng" sound, and the "k" is pronounced with a "k" sound. The second word, "verb," is pronounced with a short "u" sound followed by a "v" sound and a schwa sound (the "er" sound in "teacher").
A link verb, also known as a linking verb or copula, is a type of verb that connects the subject of a sentence to additional information or a complement. Unlike action verbs, which express an action performed by the subject, link verbs simply provide a state of being or a description of the subject. Their primary function is to link the subject to a noun, pronoun, or adjective that further describes or identifies it.
Link verbs do not indicate any action or movement but rather establish a relationship or connection between two parts of a sentence. Common examples of link verbs include "be," "appear," "seem," "become," and "feel." In a sentence, the link verb acts as a bridge between the subject and the complement, allowing the complement to provide more information about the subject.
It is important to note that link verbs are often followed by complements, which further describe or identify the subject. These complements can be nouns, pronouns, or adjectives. For example, in the sentence "She is a doctor," "is" is the link verb connecting the subject "She" to the complement "doctor."
Overall, link verbs play a crucial role in sentence structure by connecting the subject with additional information or descriptions. They provide a means of expressing the state of being or characteristics of the subject rather than indicating any action.
The term "link verb" is not derived from a particular etymology. It is formed by combining the noun "link" with the noun "verb" to create a phrase that describes a grammatical concept. In this case, a link verb (also known as a linking verb) is a word that connects the subject of a sentence to its complement or predicate noun/adjective. Examples of link verbs include "be", "seem", "become", "appear", etc. The term itself is a descriptive construction and not derived from a specific word origin.