0
Noname 8048 Posted 9 years ago
Grammar
Be + adjective
Dictionaries often define the meaning of verbs as : to apprehend, to look around, to be aware of, or to be capable of ....
And I often ignore the 'to.' Treating them as they are just there to fill the blank.
But problem is, when adjectives follows 'to + be,' it comes to my mind that it means 'become (aware of),'
today I saw a definition showing 'to be [adjective] or become [adjective].'
It seems like 'be' is considered to designate 'a sate' and 'become is considered to designate 'change of a state.'
That somehow sounds like 'to be adjective' construction is used only to describe the state, not the action, which sounds
like an adjective.
'He can be careful' 'Be careful' 'She should be careful' This kind of sentences is harder to comprehend with such sense.
With difference with 'become' in my mind, I can't really understand the meaning without using 'become.'
Can anyone help me figure out?
And I often ignore the 'to.' Treating them as they are just there to fill the blank.
But problem is, when adjectives follows 'to + be,' it comes to my mind that it means 'become (aware of),'
today I saw a definition showing 'to be [adjective] or become [adjective].'
It seems like 'be' is considered to designate 'a sate' and 'become is considered to designate 'change of a state.'
That somehow sounds like 'to be adjective' construction is used only to describe the state, not the action, which sounds
like an adjective.
'He can be careful' 'Be careful' 'She should be careful' This kind of sentences is harder to comprehend with such sense.
With difference with 'become' in my mind, I can't really understand the meaning without using 'become.'
Can anyone help me figure out?
Top answer
"To be" is a linking verb used in constructions like: He is a teacher. He is good. Certain verbs also function like a linking verb: He became a teacher.
- "To be" is a linking verb used in constructions like: He is a teacher.
- He is good.
- Certain verbs also function like a linking verb: He became a teacher.
- He became good.
- " describes the a current characteristic of the person.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
2 Answers
0
"To be" is a linking verb used in constructions like:
He is a teacher.
He is good.
Certain verbs also function like a linking verb:
He became a teacher.
He became good.
However, the meaning of "become" is not the same as "be."
"He is careful." describes the a current characteristic of the person.
"He becomes careful." indicates the
He is a teacher.
He is good.
Certain verbs also function like a linking verb:
He became a teacher.
He became good.
However, the meaning of "become" is not the same as "be."
"He is careful." describes the a current characteristic of the person.
"He becomes careful." indicates the
00
Related Questions