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Cup cake Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Function of the word - sure.

Hi there,

I know that the word - sure - acts as an adjective in some sentences.

For example, 'Linda isn't sure whether to go out tonight.'

Why is it an adjective in the above sentence?

I know it says something about Linda, but it doesn't make sense to say - unsure Linda.

Than again...maybe it does, but I'm struggling with this one.

Thanks
Cup Cake.
  

Top answer

The verb "to be" is a linking verb as it is used to link an adjective with a noun. It is another way to describe a noun, rather than placing the adjective before the noun. " Sometimes, it is better style to introduce a new idea with a clause like in (2) because it makes it easier for the reader to follow.

— Michael Chambers Teaching English

  • The verb "to be" is a linking verb as it is used to link an adjective with a noun.
  • It is another way to describe a noun, rather than placing the adjective before the noun.
  • " Sometimes, it is better style to introduce a new idea with a clause like in (2) because it makes it easier for the reader to follow.
  • Or sometimes, we are developing our ideas spontaneously.
  • Sentence (1) takes more time to produce and so would be easier to write than speak.
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10 Answers
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The verb "to be" is a linking verb as it is used to link an adjective with a noun. It is another way to describe a noun, rather than placing the adjective before the noun. Consider this:

(1) "That expensive car is the best one on the market."
(2) "That car is expensive and is the best one on the market."

Sometimes, it is better style to introduce a new idea with a clause li
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Thank you Michael. Yes, that all makes sense; I think it's the actual word 'sure' that makes it confusing.

Would it then be correct to say that the function of 'sure' in the following sentence is an adverb?

' Make sure you lock the car when you park.'

To me, it seems to answer the question - Make certain you lock the car....[adverb of degree].
Am I right here?
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To "make sure" is an idiomatic verb phrase, meaning to "ensure". The words "make" and "sure" act together to produce a different meaning to their individual words. This is different for example to "make sth secure" e.g. I made the car secure when I locked it. Here, "secure" describes the car and so is clearly an adjective.

I think "sure" would still be regarded as an adjective in the v
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Thanks again...your explanation is clear.

The only thing I'm slightly confused about is whether 'sure' is an adjective in my example, 'make sure you lock the car.'
I ask myself, 'what does "sure" describe in the sentence?'

Yes, I can now see it's a verb phrase, but what function does it play by itself?
At a guess, I'd say it describes - you - in the sentence?
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Most adjectives can be used attributively and predicatively (that's the 'default' case), but there are some (that are restricted to predicative use only:

"The warehouse was ablaze". (not *"the ablaze warehouse".)
"The article was devoid of interest". (not the *"devoid of interest article".)
"The girl was alone". (not *"the alone g
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BillJI suppose it's just that English isn't a perfect piece of work.
Go and wash your mouth out with soap!
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I guess the point I was making is that "sure" does not have any function in the sentence by itself, but only as part of the phrase "make sure". That's why I described it as an idiom - the words have a specific meaning together which is different from the sum of their parts. Think of it like one word e.g. its synonym "ensure".

You can't split the phrase e.g. "I made the car sure." Thi
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Great explanation - thank you! Emotion: rose

Examples always work a treat.
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Linda isn't sure.... Sure is an adjective in the sentence. Sure has the same function as certain would. She hasn't decided whether to go out tonight or not. Or she may have planned go out, but has doubts about going out after all
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Thank you all for these explanations. I'm always looking for ways to explain these concepts to my students. Sometimes I get stuck on the 'best way to explain'. I always want a 'menu' of explanations.

Thanks again everyone.
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