Basic Sentence Patterns 2

e.g. The acrobat seems young.
In pattern 4, the verb is called a linking verb (LV), as it links the adjective with the subject. Any verb except be that may be substituted for seems in this frame is a linking verb.
Examples:
The cyclist appears weary.
The physicist grew sleepy.
The milk remained sweet for a week.
You look sharp today.
The dogs smell bad.
Some of the common linking verbs are seem, appear, become, grow, remain, taste, look, feel, smell, sound, get, continue, go.
Note: a linking verb may be preceded by an auxiliary.
The party may become lively.



e.g. My sister remained an outstanding student.
The two superscripts show that both nouns have the same referent. The verb, which links student and sister, is a linking verb. The number of linking verbs that may occupy the verbal position in this pattern is very small. Among them are remain, become, appear, seem, continue, stay, make.
Examples:
My mother becomes a doctor.
Donald continued my friend, despite our differences.
We shall continue the discussion tomorrow.




e.g. Girls smile.
The verb in Pattern 6 is of the kind called intransitive. An intransitive verb is self-sufficient; it can stand alone with its subject.
Examples:
The sportsman fished.
The sportsmen were fishing.
If you are in doubt whether a word following the verb is a modifier that goes with an intransitive verb or a completer of a transitive verb, a substitution can settle the matter. If you can substitute him, her, it, or them, the word is a completer and the verb is not intransitive.
He hammered fast. (Intransitive verb)
He hammered the nail. (Transitive verb)
In the first sentence you cannot substitute it without spoiling the structural meaning. But in the second, He hammered it is a suitable equivalent for He hammered the nail. Therefore the first hammered is intransitive and the second one is transitive.