Thread: 'to be'
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Old 12-Jun-2003, 13:54
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Default Re: 'to be'

Quote:
Originally Posted by learner
describe the grammatical function of the verb 'to be':
+/ He is a world famous singer.
+/ She has been in London at least twice.
+/Her letters were not found anywhere.
+/ They are sitting side by side in the dark.
+/ He is to go to the station at once if he doesn't want to be late.
The verb "to be" serves several functions depending on what form it takes.

Quote:
He is a world famous singer.
In that sentence, "world famous singer" describes "He". The verb "is" chiefly acts as a connecting word.

Quote:
She has been in London at least twice.
In that sentence, "has been" describes a state of being. Where has she been? She has been to London. (Normally, "to" is the preposition used.)

More later (perhaps).

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