C. Link-verbs

Introduce the nominal part of the predicate (the predicative) which is commonly expressed by a noun, an adjective, or a phrase of a similar semantic-grammatical character. It should be noted that link-verbs, although they are named so, are not devoid of meaningful content. Performing their function of connecting (" linking") the subject and the predicative of the sentence, they express the actual semantics of this connection, i.e. expose the relational aspect of the characteristics ascribed by the predicative to the subject. The linking predicator function in the purest form is effected by the verb be; therefore be as a link-verb can be referred to as the " pure link-verb". It is clear from the above that even this pure link-verb has its own relational semantics, which can be identified as " linking predicative ascription". Besides the link-verbs proper hitherto presented, there are some notional verbs in language that have the power to perform the function of link-verbs without losing their lexical nominative value. In other words, they perform two functions simultaneously, combining the role of a full notional verb with that of a link-verb. Cf.:

Fred lay awake all through the night. Robbie ran in out of breath. The moon rose red.

Here we’re to mention of the existence of the notional link verbs, this are verbs which have the power to perform the function of link verbs and they preserve their lexical value. Ex: The Moon rose red. Due to the double syntactic character, the hole predicate is referred to as a double predicate (a predicate of double orientation)

• Notional verbs - the 1-st categorization on the basis of the subject process relation. The verbs are divided into actional and statal.

• Actional - express the action, performed by the subject (do, act, make)

• Statal verbs - they denote the state of their subject (be, stand, know)

This criteria apply to more specific subsets of words: ex: The verbs of mental process, here we observe the verbs of mental perception and activity, sensual process (see-look)

The 2-nd categorization is based on the aspective characteristic. Too aspective subclasses of verbs should be recognized in English limitive (close, arrive) and unlimitive (behave, move). The basis of this division is the idea of a processual limit. That is some border point beyond which the process doesn’t exist.

The 3-rd categorization is based on the combining power of the verbs. The combing power of words in relation to other words in syntactically subordinate positions is called their syntactic valency. Syntactic valency may be obligatory & optional. The obligatory adjuncts are called complements and optional adjuncts are called supplements. According as verbs have or don’t have the power to take complements, the notional words should classed as complimentive (transitive and intransitive)or uncomplimentive (personal and impersonal)

Terminative – denote actions which can’t develop beyond a certain limit (to stand up, to sit down, to come, to take).

Non-terminative – have no limit (to love, to sit, to work, to walk)

Exercises:

1. Identify the type of the following non-standard verbs (according to the morphological classification):

run, eat, think, sleep, can, be, let, buy, show, give, begin, cut

2. Give your own examples of the verbs used both as subject and object.

3. Classify the verbs into terminative - non-terminative (durative): work, love, respect, bring, refuse, teach, take, close, live, kill, travel, recall, study, play, sit, have.

1.What is non-finite verbs? Give your examples.

2. What semantic structure the finite verbs are divided into?

3.What is link-verbs? Can you explain and give your examples.

4. What do you know about the notional verbs? Tell three main grammatically relevant categorisations.

5. Give the definition of " terminative". Give your examples.

6. Give the definition of " unlimitive". Give your examples.

7. What is the distinction between " complements" and " supplements"?