連接動詞本身有一定的意義，但不能單獨用作謂語，所以必須與謂語一起形成。表達式通常用作名詞、形容詞或相當於名詞或形容詞的詞或短語，表示主語是什麼或什麼。
一、連繫動詞be
be是最常用的連繫動詞，它的後面可跟名詞、形容詞、代詞、數詞、副詞、介詞短語、從句、動詞不定式、分詞等作表語,構成主系表結構。
be的時態變化：
一般現在時：am, is, are
一般過去時：was, were
現在將來時：will be, is going to be, are going to
過去將來時：would be, was going to be, were going to be
現在完成時：have been, has been
過去完成時：had been
例句：
①He will be a teacher.他將要成為老師。（名詞作表語）
②He said he was going to be in Shanghai the next week.他説他下一週將在上海。（介詞短語作表語）
③She was the first to learn about it.她第一個知道這個消息。（數詞作表語）
④My idea is this.我的想法就是這。（代詞作表語）
⑤We must be off now.現在我們必須離開。（副詞作表語）
⑥My idea is that we should tie the tree to the stick first.我的主義是先把樹綁到木棒上。（從句作表語）
⑦My job is to feed the animals.我的工作是飼養動物。（動詞不定式作表語）
⑧She has been like this ever since last night.從昨晚她就這個樣52
子。（介詞短語作表語）
⑨He said he had been here for three years.他説他在這裏三年了。（副詞作表語）
⑩We were very tired last night.昨晚我們很累。（形容詞作表語）
二、與感官有關的連繫動詞
這類連繫動詞表示存在或具有某種特徵或狀態，強調"存在"。這類連繫動詞有look(看起來),feel(摸上去), ,smell(聞起來),taste(嚐起來),sound(聽起來)等，這類連繫動詞還時常作實義動詞用, 進行句式變化時要接助動詞。區別：
1.He is looking.他正在看。（實義動詞）
He looks very young.他看起來很年輕。（形容詞作表語）
He looks like his mother.(He is like his mother.)他看起來象他的媽媽。（介詞短語作表語）
What does it look like?(What is it like?)它看起來象什麼？（介詞短語作表語）
2.Don’t smell the meat.不要聞這肉。（實義動詞）
The cake smells delicious.這蛋糕聞起來挺好。（形容詞作表語）
It smells like a cake.它聞起來象蛋糕。（介詞短語作表語）
3.He tasted the bread.他嚐了嚐這麪包。（實義動詞）
The bread tastes very nice.這麪包嚐起來很好。（形容詞作表語）
The tea tastes like coffee.這茶嚐起來象咖啡。（介詞短語作表語）
4.The story sounds true.這故事聽起來真實。
“Ph” sounds like an “f”. “ph”聽起來象“f”
三、表示變化的連繫動詞
這類連繫動詞強調"變化"後的情況或狀態.常見的有:become(變成), get(變得) ，turn(變成), grow(變得), go(變得)等。例句：
1.When spring comes, the days get longer and the weather gets warmer.春天來時，白天變長，天氣變暖。
2.Florence Nightingale became a famous nurse.弗洛倫斯·南丁格
53
爾變成了一個著名的護士。
3.Dr Bethune became very popular then.那時白求恩大夫變得很受歡迎了。
4.His face turned redder and redder.他的臉變得越來越紅了。
5.It’s growing dark.天在變黑。
四、表示某種情況或狀態持續的連繫動詞。
這類連繫動詞強調"持續"。常見的有: keep(保持),stay(保持),continue(繼續、仍舊),stand(處於某狀況或情形)等。例句:
1.They keep busy.他們保持忙碌。
2.If you want to be thinner and keep healthier, you have to eat less food and you have to take more exercise.如果你想變瘦和保持健康，你不得不吃更少的食物，進行更多的體育鍛煉。
3.Please stay happy.請保持高興。
4. It's already ten in the morning. The store remains closed. What's the matter?已經上午10點了，商店還關着，發生了什麼事。
五、表示好象的連繫動詞
這類連繫動詞有seem(似乎是),appear(似乎、顯得),後面跟形容詞作表語，也可以跟動詞不定式作表語。例句：
1.He seems very happy.
He seems to be happy.
2.It seems to rain.
It seems to be rainy.
It seems rainy.