SER, ESTAR and APPEAR as PREDICATIVE verbs

Within the verbs we can find two types: the copulatives and predicatives. These, although they are well differentiated, can sometimes acquire characteristics that make them become part of another category. In this lesson from a TEACHER we are going to look at the verbs to be, to be and to seem as predicative.

Index

1. Introduction to predicative verbs: to be, to be and to appear
2. Types of verbs
3. Verbs to be, to be and to appear as predicative
4. Verb SER as predicative - with examples
5. Verb ESTAR as predicative - with examples
6. Verb SEEM as predicative - examples

The copulative verbs they are usually empty, meaningless verbs that simply link the subject to the attribute qualification, the most important word in a noun predicate sentence.

However, sometimes we can find that these verbs suddenly fill with meaning when they go without attribute and then we will be before the copulative and predicative verbs.

The meanings of these copulative verbs are:

• To be means "exist, occur or happen"
• To be means "to be in a place / situation"
• Seem means "to be similar to someone"

In the video we explain in more detail how these verbs work. Also, if you want to practice what you learned in today's class, you can do the printable exercises with their solutions that you will find on the web.

We can define in a general way a verb as a grammatical category that is part of a sentence. Through verbs we can express the actions carried out by a subject, their condition, their achievement, their existence or the state in which they are.

So within these types of words we can find different types of verbs, as they are:

• Copulative verbs: the copulative verbs are be, be and seem. These, by themselves do not imply an action, but usually function as a nexus between the subject and the attribute, pointing out some of its characteristics. We can see it clearly in this sentence: Miguel is tall. The verb to be functions here as a union between two parts of the sentence, specifically the subject and the attribute, which in this case shows us a characteristic of the subject. For example, in the following sentence: Juan is a good friend. We see that the verb to be works practically as a link between the subject and the attribute, so that it hardly has any meaning within the sentence.
• Predicative verbs: here we find the rest of the verbs. These are those words that serve to express an action, a process or a state that has been carried out or supported by a subject. Predicative verbs have full meaning and show actions carried out by a noun. In other words, verbs of this type have lexical content and they always express a complete idea.

Image source: Slideshare

However, sometimes we may find that these verbs suddenly fill with meaning when they go without attribute and then we will be before the copulative verbs as predicative. In other words, verbs that are copulative by themselves end up acquiring meaning and become predicative.

Why does this happen? Because the verbs to be, to be and to seem are not accompanied by an attribute, but they do it for different types of verbal complements as they can be: the direct object, the indirect object, the circumstantial complements… Thanks to these they acquire a meaning again.

We could say, therefore, that it is about special uses of the verbs ser, estar and seeming that we must know.

To understand it better, we are going to see a series of examples that will help us to know when the verb to be becomes predicative.

• The accident was on the main road.
• I just don't have the mood for nonsense.
• That was a long time ago.

In the cases that we have above the verb to be is used with the meaning of happen or occur. So we can modify all the sentences for any of these without losing meaning. It will be as follows:

1. The accident happened on the main road / The accident happened on the main road.
2. It happens that I have no spirit for nonsense / It happens that I have no spirit for nonsense.
3. That happened a long time ago / That happened a long time ago.

Therefore in this case we can say that the verb to be, used in these sentences is working as predicative. This is because more information is being given and not only is the subject being qualified as it happens with copulative verbs through the attribute.

Image: Slideshare

Continuing with the examples, let's focus now on the verb to be. When it acquires a predicative verb function, its meaning becomes that of being in a certain place or situation. For example:

• I am in Zaragoza.
• We are full of work.

We see as in the previous case, that the verb to be does not qualify the subject, rather, it adds information through a circumstantial complement.

Image: Slideshare

The next verb that can suffer from this phenomenon is the verb seem. In the case of being predicative, its meaning will be to resemble someone or something physically or psychologically. Next we will see a couple of examples that will help you with your doubts.

• Pablo looks like Colin Farrel
• You look so much like your mother

In these cases, the verb seem is filled with meaning through the accessories that accompany it.

The verbs to be, to be and to appear are used in the spoken language much more than you might imagine, for this reason it is essential to know them and to know that they can acquire this function within a sentence. If you want to continue learning with more content like this, do not hesitate to visit our Spanish Language section where you will find more lessons that will help you solve all your doubts.

Image: Slideshare

If you want to read more articles similar to Verbs to be, to be and to appear as predicative, we recommend that you enter our category of Grammar and Linguistics.