Copula

The verb be as used in sentences ((65))-((67)) is often referred to as the COPULA. It can be followed by a noun, adjective, or prepositional phrase.

(64)0(64

(65)

Carl is a jerk .  (65)0(65

(66)

Carl is upset .  (66)0(66

(67)

Carl is in a foul mood . 

Although the copula may look like a main verb at first glance, its syntactic behavior follows the auxiliary verbs rather than main verbs. In particular,

• Copula be inverts with the subject.

  (67)0(67

  (68)

  is Beth writing her dissertation ?
  is Beth upset ?
  $\ast$wrote Beth her dissertation ? 

• Copula be occurs to the left of the negative marker not.

  (68)0(68

  (69)

  Beth is not writing her dissertation .
  Beth is not upset .
  $\ast$Beth wrote not her dissertation . 

• Copula be can contract with the negative marker not.

  (69)0(69

  (70)

  Beth isn't writing her dissertation .
  Beth isn't upset .
  $\ast$Beth wroten't her dissertation . 

• Copula be can contract with pronominal subjects.

  (70)0(70

  (71)

  She's writing her dissertation .
  She's upset .
  $\ast$She'ote her dissertation . 

• Copula be occurs to the left of adverbs in the unmarked order.

  (71)0(71

  (72)

  Beth is often writing her dissertation .
  Beth is often upset .
  $\ast$Beth wrote often her dissertation . 

Unlike all the other auxiliaries, however, copula be is not followed by a verbal category (by definition) and therefore must be the rightmost verb. In this respect, it is like a main verb. The semantic behavior of the copula is also unlike main verbs. In particular, any semantic restrictions or roles placed on the subject come from the complement phrase (NP, AP, PP) rather than from the verb, as illustrated in sentences ((73)) and ((74)). Because the complement phrases predicate over the subject, these types of sentences are often called PREDICATIVE sentences.

(72)0(72

(73)

The bartender was garrulous .  (73)0(73

(74)

?The cliff was garrulous .