adjective
copulative
KOP-yuh-luh-tiv/ˈkɑpjələtɪv/
Linking a subject to its complement in grammar.
A copulative verb connects the subject to a description or identity.
Etymology
The underlying verb means “to join,” so copulative describes something serving as a link. In grammar, that link connects a subject with its complement.
In context
we speak of this verb as a linking or copulative verb because it links uh the subject uh with this thing uh that follows the verb, this adjective.
More examples
- “Is” serves as a copulative verb in “The soup is hot.”
- In “He became a doctor,” “became” has a copulative function.
- The teacher asks us to underline each copulative verb.
Forms
copulative
copula noun — A verb linking a subject and complement.
Similar words
- linking
- The usual classroom term for the same grammatical function.
- copular
- A more common technical adjective for this same grammatical relationship.