Verbs of Incomplete Predication, Types and Their Functions in English Grammar

Verbs of Incomplete Predication, Types and Their Functions in English Grammar

Introduction:

The Verbs of incomplete Predication which are also known as Connectors, Copulatives or Linking verbs. They are unable to express or demonstrate actions, but linking the subject of any sentence to a subject complement of complimentary sentences providing additional information about the subject of the sentence. So there are some common examples of Copulative verbs including (BE) In its various forms such as, "am, is, are, was were and etcetera. Also, become, seem, appear, look, feel, smell, taste, and sound."

For instance: "The sky is blue" in this sentence the copulative verb (is) connects the noun "sky" which has a complement, "blue." So such complements for any subject of the sentence come up with more information and characteristics about "sky" and helps us in describing the subject "sky".

More importantly, Copulative verbs not necessarily always describe the physical state or appearance. They can also describe senses and emotions, sensations and mental states. For instance, "Mr. Jim feels happy," or "The soup smells tasty."

Types of Incomplete Predication

There are two kinds of Incomplete Predication:

Subject-verb agreement:

This type of incomplete predication, the (Subject and Verb) must agree in number like whether they are  singular or plural to construct a grammatically correct sentence. 

For instance: 

• The cat is sleeping.
• The cats are sleeping.

Predicative Nominative:

This type of incomplete predication, the subject complement gives extra information about the subject by renaming or defining it. The subject complement is usually a Noun or Pronoun which follows the linking verb.

For Example:

• She is a doctor.
• The book became a bestseller.

Moreover, copulative verbs such as (be) are used in both types of incomplete predication to create a grammatical correct sentence which provides additional information about the Subject. Sometimes, Transitive and Intransitive verbs do the function of Incomplete Predication in English sentences because with an object the verb of Incomplete predication does not make any sense.

For instance:

• Jim wants to cry.
• John writes a letter.
• Jenny looks very happy.
• Chill goes on air.
• Alex cries outwardly.
• Click picks up the candle.

Functions of Verbs of Incomplete Predication

The basic function of Verbs of Incomplete Predication is to connect the Subject of a sentence to a Complement of the Subject providing additional information about the subject. Copulative verbs serve several important functions in sentences:

For Example:

Describing Physical Appearances:

Copulative Verbs can be used to describe the physical appearance of a Subject, such as:

• She looks tired.
• The sky appeared cloudy.

Describing emotions, sensations, or mental states:

Linking verbs can also be used to express emotions, sensations or mental states.

Such as:

• He felt nervous
• She seemed happy.

Recognizing the subject:

Copulative verbs can be used to identify or define the subject.

Such as:

• The book is a bestseller
• She became a doctor.

Expressing a State of being:

Linking verbs can also be used to express a state of being.

For Example:

• I am tired
• They were happy.

In summary,

The basic function of Copulative or Linking verbs is to provide additional information about the subject and to help describe it in more detail.

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