Copula

In linguistics and philosophy, a copula is a word or phrase that connects the subject of a sentence to a predicate, most often to express a state of being or identity. It links a noun or pronoun to a noun, adjective, or adverb that describes or further identifies the subject. The primary function of a copula is to equate or relate the subject to the predicate, providing a crucial grammatical bridge to convey meaning. Common copulas in English include forms of the verb "to be" (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been), as well as verbs like "become," "seem," and occasionally verbs denoting sensory experiences such as "feel" and "appear."

Copula meaning with examples

• The sky **is** blue. Here, "is" connects the subject "sky" to the predicate adjective "blue," indicating a state of being. The copula establishes the relationship of color to the subject. Without it, the sentence wouldn't have any grammatical sense.
• Her favorite fruit **is** an apple. "Is" links "fruit" (subject) to "apple" (predicate noun), denoting the subject's identity or kind. The copula clarifies the nature of her favorite fruit in this case, what it actually is.
• They **were** exhausted after the hike. "Were" connects "they" (subject) to "exhausted" (predicate adjective), describing a condition. It explains the state of the group after doing the hike, and connects the subject to the descriptor.
• He will **become** a doctor. The copula "become" links "he" (subject) to "a doctor" (predicate noun), suggesting a future role. It indicates a transition or a change in status.
• She **feels** happy today. Although "feels" can sometimes act as a verb of action, in this case, it acts as a copula, linking the subject "she" with the predicate adjective "happy", thus explaining her feeling today.