What are the copulative verbs

When making the syntactic analysis of a sentence, it is very useful to know before what type of verb we find to also determine the complements that accompany it. One of the most common verbal classifications is that of copulative or attributive verbs, as opposed to predicatives; the former only function as a link, without providing information and are always linked to an attribute complement . So that you know how to differentiate them from others, we want to explain in detail what and what are the copulative verbs.

What are copulative verbs?

The copulative or attributive verbs are those that link subject and predicate without providing information about the action, that is, they function as copula or link, as the name suggests.

This type of verbs appear in attributive sentences, those that carry a complement attribute that expresses qualities of the subject and never a direct complement. There will always be a gender and number agreement between the subject and the attribute complement.

This can be detected by asking the verb "how is" or "how is" the subject, but should not be confused with the circumstantial additions of mode.

Copulative verbs: to be

One of the main copulative verbs is "to be " and in the attributive sentences it will express characteristics of the subject.

Examples:

María is very nice.
The Catholic Kings were Fernando and Isabel.
This week's time will be very variable.

Copulative verbs: be

Likewise, the verb "estar" is also considered as copulative or attributive because it serves to specify the state of the subject.

Examples:

Juan is tired.
His room was always messy.
My grandparents will be very happy to see us.

Copulative verbs: seem

The third copulative verb is " seem " and, like the previous two, it works as a link between the subject and the attribute complement. Even so, it should be noted that some authors consider it pseudocopulative, due to the fact that it provides some semantic content.

Examples: