heir; noun or verb?

[The Editor]

In this context: "He knew he would be heir to it in the future."
Is the word "heir" a noun or verb?
Or, would "be heir to" qualify as a Phrasal Verb?

It seems to me that were it worded: "he would be the heir..." then, the word "heir" would obviously be a noun.



Still learning English, after 50+ years,,,,

[Soup]

heir - Definitions from Dictionary.com

Heir apparent (1375) has the Fr. order of noun-adj.

The noun heir is short for heir apparent, from the proper noun Heir apparent, which is why it doesn't require an article; e.g. she is (the / an) heir to the thrown.

be (linking verb) + heir (noun) to (preposition)

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Note, as for being a verb, well,

heir, verb (used with object)
5. Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S. to inherit; succeed to.

[The Editor]

Thanks for the speedy reply.

Actually the context is spoken speech in the "South Midland",,,,

[Soup]

Actually the context is spoken speech in the "South Midland",,,,

If that were the case, which it isn't, be would be the main verb.

Ex: He knew he would be heir to it in the future.

[The Editor]

Thanks!

Can you give me a valid example of "heir" being a verb?

[Soup]

The following examples for heir (transitive verb; synonymous with inherited, See http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary) are taken from "heired" - Google Search:

• • Heired property: Unable to locate online - Mississippi (MS) - City ...
  • On the east side of ___ Alligator River and up Whipper Creek which I heired from the death of my father John Sanderlin ...
  • Nicks Sr, land heired by Rebecca Roberts from Quinton Nicks dying intestate ...
  • At his dead, the first son (Sancho) heired the kingdom of Castile, While the second one (Alfonso) heired León.
  • John S. Newbold heired the property, and his estate owns it, and the family resides there.

[The Editor]

Thanks again.

So, if it were spoken thus:

"He knew he would heir it in the future."

Then, "heir" would be a verb. Correct?

[Soup]

You're most welcome.

"He knew he would heir it in the future."

Then, "heir" would be a verb. Correct?

Correctamundo! Going back to your first example would be heir, the verb be takes a predicate adjective or a predicate nominal (a noun); e.g., Be happy; Do you want to be a pilot?, ...would be heir (nominal). Test it: ...would be an/the heir.

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For our members, Urban Dictionary: correctamundo

[The Editor]

Thank you very much!

[Soup]

Most welcome.

An added note, the modal auxiliary would (as in would be and would heir) takes a base verb, an infinitive verb. That's how you know that be and heir in those examples are verbs.