use of verb "been"

Question

I  was taught that the parts of the verb "to be" are linking (or, in my day, copulative) verbs. By definition a linking verb links the subject to a word in the predicate which describes or modifies the subject. So, in the sentence  "You should have been in your chair," "been" seems not to be linking the subject to anything. Is it, then, an action verb, or is it the linking verb corollary to the intransitive verb? quuen of everything

Vorpar · Accepted Answer

To be is the verb of existence. In this case is is used to describe a location.

Been links the subject to the chair. (in the past tense)

CalifJim · Answer

to be can occur in other situations. It doesn't have to link to a noun or adjective which describes the subject. It is used to show location. It can be used in any tense.

You are in your chair.
You were in your chair.
You have been in your chair.
You had been in your chair.

It can be used with a modal verb (must, will, should, ...)

You must be in your chair.
You will be in your chair.
You should be in your chair.
You must have been in your chair.
You will have been in your chair.
You should have been in your chair.

CJ

use of verb "been"

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