total verb [L only + noun, T]

[GoodTaste]

Does "[L only + noun, T]" mean "only one l in spelling when used in past or past complete tense, and it should be followed by a noun with definite article "The""?
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total verb [L only + noun, T] (DAMAGE)
mainly US
(UK write off)
to damage a vehicle so badly that it cannot be repaired:
His son totaled the pickup when it was ten months old.

Source: Cambridge Dictionary

 

[GoesStation]

The dictionary should have a section at the beginning that explains what these notes mean. What does it tell you?

 

[emsr2d2]

I'm baffled by "L only + noun" but I think "T" means "transitive". I note that one of the other definitions uses "L only + noun" but has two "L"s in the past tense so it can't mean what you guessed.

 

[emsr2d2]

The dictionary should have a section at the beginning that explains what these notes mean. What does it tell you?

It's an online dictionary. I went to the site and I couldn't find a key.

 

[GoesStation]

It took a bit of searching, but I found it here.

 

[jutfrank]

The phrase itself is hyperlinked straight to the key. It's not very easy to see that, it seems.

 

[emsr2d2]

The phrase itself is hyperlinked straight to the key. It's not very easy to see that, it seems.

Well, there's a thing! I do wish websites would make hyperlinks clearer. It wouldn't have occurred to me to click on "L only + noun" but when I did, it was suddenly underlined and was clearly a link. Now we know!

 

[GoodTaste]

Well, there's a thing! I do wish websites would make hyperlinks clearer. It wouldn't have occurred to me to click on "L only + noun" but when I did, it was suddenly underlined and was clearly a link. Now we know!

It says "A linking verb only followed by a noun" - Does "linking" mean that the verb must link something with it at anytime - that is, the verb can't be used alone by itself?

 

[jutfrank]

No, a 'linking verb' is one that links subject to subject complement. Here's a good reference to explain it in more detail:

https://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/linking_verbs.htm

 

[Tdol]

The spelling has nothing to do with the meaning or form.