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Question

I need help wrapping my mind around this grammar situation. It has to do with the verb "to be."

I get that "to be" can behave in different ways in a sentence. Generally, it behaves as a linking verb. Often it can be a helping verb with an action verb making it part of the action verb. I also get that linking verbs cannot be transitive or intransitive and that we classify action verbs in this manner.

Here is my confusion. When the verb "to be" is followed by a prepositional phrase, it indicates location rather than a state of being. From what I have gathered, in that case the "to be" verb is acting as an intransitive verb. Does that mean it is somehow behaving like an action verb in that situation?

Ex: The chair is in the house.

The verb "is" is not a linking verb in this sentence. Instead, it is followed by a prepositional phrase showing location. From what I have gathered the verb would be classified as an intransitive verb. But only action verbs can be classified as such, so is the verb "is" somehow acting like an action verb in this situation? Someone explained it to me that it is showing existence as in the chair "existed" in the house. So, the verb "is" in this sentence is implying the action of existence, hence it is treated as an action verb and labeled as an intransitive verb??

Fivejedjon · Accepted Answer

It is not true that only 'action' verbs can be intransitive. These verbs are all intransitive: I am walking, jumping, swimming, shouting, etc

Anonymous · Answer

Am is acting as a helping verb for the action verb in that sentence, hence it is part of the action verb. Since the action verb does not transfer its action to an object (i.e. no direct object), it is correctly labeled as an intransitive verbs. I am specifically asking about the sentence "The chair is in the house." I understand that we could essentially replace "is" with the word "exists" and the sentence's meaning would not change. Someone explained to me that the verb "is" in this sentence is behaving like an action verb and that is why it is not a linking verb. My confusion lies in the fact that the "to be" verb is showing up alone in this sentence but it is not behaving like a linking verb, which is its typical behavior when it shows up alone in a sentence. Here "is' is a linking verb: "The chair is uncomfortable." I never realized the verb "to be" can show action.

An English professor alluded to the function of the verb "is" in the sentence as "asserting being" as when Descartes said, "I think, therefore I am."

Fivejedjon · Answer

Sorry, my last response was completely unhelpful. All the verbs I listed were in fact 'action' verbs.

Fivejedjon · Answer

Anonymous I am specifically asking about the sentence "The chair is in the house." I understand that we could essentially replace "is" with the word "exists" and the sentence's meaning would not change

We can't replace 'is' in that sentence with 'exists'. I believe that it is a copular (linking) verb in that sentence; it has has an adverbial complement.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

A verb can be dynamic or stative. (Shows action or state)
A verb can be transitive or intransitive. (Has an object or not)

You will find all the different combinations in English.

Harry was sleeping. (dynamic / intransitive)
She smelled the flower. (dynamic / transitive)
He has a car. (stative / transitive)
She smells nice. (stative / intransitive)

"to be" is always intransitive (It never takes an object), although it can be either dynamic or stative. Adverbs and adverbial phrases are commonly used with "to be."

Harry is cold. (stative)
The chair is in the house. (stative with adverb of place)
The meeting is at 3:00. (stative with adverb of time.)

Harry is always gentle with his pet mouse. (dynamic)

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousWhen the verb "to be" is followed by a prepositional phrase, it indicates location rather than a state of being.

Not necessarily. A prepositional phrase does not have to indicate location.

The house is under construction. / The castle is in ruins. / The first performance is on Friday.

And the converse is not necessarily true either. Lack of a prepositional phrase does not necessarily indicate a state of being.

The letter you wanted to read is here. / Elsa is a pianist. / Clark Kent is Superman.

Anonymousin that case the "to be" verb is acting as an intransitive verb. Does that mean it is somehow behaving like an action verb in that situation? Ex: The chair is in the house.

I don't see how a statement of where something is located can be considered a statement of an action. It's not as if the chair in the house is magically dancing while we're not looking.

_________________

be has various functions. For example, it can mean "is an instance of". (A dog is an animal.) And it can indicate location. (The bed is here.) And it has other functions as well. It seems to me a matter of arbitrary labeling whether you call some of these "linking" and others not. I am not aware of any standard way of classifying the uses of be other than as a auxiliary verb or a main verb (or "linking" verb). The classification method you mention may be useful in discussing the fine points of semantics in a linguistics forum, but it isn't crucial for teaching English as a second language.

CJ

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