Module 1

Module 1: Basic Elements 基本元素

1.2 Verbs and Basic Sentence Structures

Day 4: Sentence Patterns III (Sentences with Linking Verbs)

Linking verbs are also copulative verbs as they require a subject complement to complete the meaning of the sentence (see topic 1.1 “Parts of Speech” for details). Linking verbs are similar to the verb “to be” as they also show the relationship between the subject and other parts of the sentence. However, linking verbs do not convey action from one to the other nor do they show a subject in action. Many linking verbs relate to the five senses.

連繫動詞也是並列動詞 ,因為他們需要一個主語補語去完成句子的含義 (詳情可見1.1“Parts of Speech” 一課 ) . 連繫動詞類似動詞 verb “to be”, 因為它們也表現主語和句子中其他部分的關係. 然而, 連繫動詞不會表達一個動作由一個人/地方到另一個人/地方, 它們亦不會把動作的主語顯示出來. 很多連繫動詞是和五官有關的.

The following are some common linking verbs:

appear 似乎,看來好像
look 好像;看起來
sound 聽起來,聽上去
smell聞起來有某種氣味(或跡象)[
feel有感覺;覺得
taste吃起來;嚐起來
seem看來好像,似乎
remain保持,仍是

Pattern 8: Noun + Linking verb + Adjective

e.g. You look good.

Noun: You

Linking verb: look

Adjective: good

The food looks tasty.

Noun: The food

Linking verb: looks

Adjective: tasty

Pattern 9: Noun + Linking verb + Noun

e.g. That tall man appears leader of the group.

Noun: That tall man

Linking verb: appears

Noun: leader of the group

Note: There are some obvious differences between linking verbs and transitive verbs e.g. linking verbs often suggest possibilities rather than observations

連繫動詞和及物動詞有一些很明顯的不同之處, 例如連繫動詞一般會提出可能性而不是觀察所得.

(see topic 1.1 “Parts of speech” for details).

(詳情可見1.1“Parts of Speech” 一課 )

Let’s do some exercises!