|
Usually
a verb needs an adverb to extend its
meaning : He walked slowly. He looked at
me unhappily.
They
are some verbs that don't make sense
by themselves. They need adjectives for
complete senses.
Many
writers of modern texts on English usage
use the term linking Verbs for these
verbs. They are so called because they
link (=jion) their subjects to their complements.
It links its subject and complement into
the same thing. Inother worlds, the complement
modifiesor explains about its subject.
He
felt unhappy. (unhappy modifies "he")
The
girl seemed satisfied. (satisfied modified "girl")
He
is a pilot. (pilot and he are the same
person.)
In
some case a complement can be a noun.
Following
is a list of linking verbs.
|
get
grow
feel
become
look
prove
seem
appear
smell
tast
sound
turn
remain
stay
show
and
the verb be
|
He
looked unhappy. He
flet good. He
seened sleepy.
The
milk turn bad. The
idea sounds practical.
Some
of these verbs are not linking verbs
when having object; they need adverbs to
clarify their meanings.
Linking
Verb + Adjective Linking
Verb + Adverb
He
looked unhappy. He
looked at me unhappily.
This
cake tastes sweet. He
tastes the cake slowly.
She
felt freesh. She
felt the cloth carefully.
The
milk turn bad. He
turn the wheel quickly.
Objective
Complement
|
make
set
have
want
like
find
turn
wish
keep
get
|
Please
get yourself ready. I
found the box empty.
They
set the prisoners free. Can
you put the door open?
Don't
make yourself uneasy. The
sun keeps us warm.
He
wished himself dead. He
turned me angry.
I
like my coffee hot. He
wants his coffee hot.
|
