Could you please clarify the grammatical usage of is in the following sentence? The answer is in the question. Is the verb "is" in the sentence a state of being or linking verb. What is the grammatical explanation for in the qustion in this sentence. Thank you/
*****
NOT A TEACHER *****
Ms. Nevsky,
We all understand how difficult it must be to teach grammar to a bunch of
teenagers. I am sure that you are doing a fine job.
The other posters have done a great job in answering your question.
May I add my two cents' worth?
(1) It might be helpful if you just use the terms "full verb" and
"linking verb." In other words, if it is not a linking verb, then it
must be a full verb. This might be easier for your students.
(2) In my favorite grammar book, the authors give these two
examples:
(a)
The teacher is in his office.
(b)
The teacher is in a very bad humor.
Before I give you the authors' explanation, would you like to
take a minute out to parse (analyze) them in your mind?
*****
In sentence (a), it tells you where the teacher is (that is, where he
exists). So the book simply calls it a full verb. "In his office" is a
prepositional phrase that modifies (belongs to) "is." It tells you where
he is.
In sentence (b), the prepositional phrase "obviously" describes the
teacher's emotions. So we would call "is" a so-called linking verb.
In other words:
teacher = in a very bad humor.
*****
Please do not be discouraged.
"China is far from the United States."
I once asked 10 teachers at the best adult ESL (English as a Second
Language) school in the United States: Is "is" in that sentence a full
verb or linking verb?
According to my favorite book, the answer should probably be "full
verb." Right?
Well, 5 of those teachers immediately replied: "A linking verb."
I am sure that you will do an excellent job. Remember that many people
here are eager to help you at any time.
*****
NOT A TEACHER *****