copula Definition
a connecting word, in particular a form of the verb 'be' connecting a subject and complement.
Using copula: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "copula" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The most common copula is 'to be'.
Example
In the sentence 'He seems happy', 'seems' is a copula.
Example
Copulas are used to link the subject and predicate in a sentence.
copula Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for copula
- linking verb
- connecting verb
- equative verb
Phrases with copula
a linguistic phenomenon where a language does not have a copula verb, such as in some African and Native American languages
Example
In the sentence 'I hungry', there is no copula verb.
the omission of the copula verb in certain dialects or informal speech, such as in African American Vernacular English (AAVE)
Example
In AAVE, the sentence 'She beautiful' is used instead of 'She is beautiful'.
the reversal of the subject and copula verb in a sentence for emphasis or rhetorical effect, such as in the sentence 'Beautiful is she.'
Example
In poetry, copula inversion can be used to create a specific rhythm or sound.
Origins of copula
from Latin 'copulare', meaning 'to join'
Summary: copula in Brief
A 'copula' [ˈkɒpjʊlə] is a connecting word, typically a form of the verb 'be', that links a subject and complement in a sentence. Examples include 'is', 'am', and 'seems'. Copulas can be omitted in certain dialects or languages, known as 'copula deletion', or reversed for emphasis, called 'copula inversion'.
