The lights made me sleepy.
I found the forest quite frightening.
These verbs are explained in paragraphs 3.161 to 3.171.
phrases that begin with a preposition
3.129 You can often use a phrase beginning with a preposition after a linking verb.
The first-aid box is on the top shelf.
I began to get in a panic.
For more information about phrases and clauses that can be used after linking verbs, see paragraphs 3.172 to 3.181.
it with be
3.130 Be is often used with it as an impersonal subject. This structure is used to comment on places, situations, actions, experiences, and facts.
It was very quiet in the hut.
It was awkward keeping my news from Ted.
It’s strange you should come today.
Some other linking verbs are occasionally used in a similar way.
The use of it as an impersonal subject is explained in paragraphs 9.31 to 9.45.
there with be
3.131 Be is often used with there as its subject to indicate the existence of something.
There is another explanation.
There is a rear bathroom with a panelled bath.
This use of there is explained in paragraphs 9.46 to 9.55.
Adjectives after linking verbs: He seems happy, I’m tired
3.132 Many adjectives can be used after linking verbs.
I am proud of these people.
They seemed happy.
You don’t want them to become suspicious.
They have remained loyal to the Government.
They can be modified in various ways or have various structures after them.
We were very happy.
Your suspicions are entirely correct.
Their hall was larger than his whole flat.
He was capable of extraordinary kindness.
Adjectives used after linking verbs, and the structures used with them, are explained in paragraphs 2.41 to 2.53.
3.133 Here is a list of verbs that can be used as linking verbs with a following adjective:
be
~
appear
feel
look
prove
seem
smell
sound
taste
~
become
come
fall
get
go
grow
keep
remain
stay
turn
Note that the verbs in third group refer to changing or to staying the same.
3.134 Some verbs in the second group listed above have special features.
Appear, prove, and seem are often followed by to be and an adjective, instead of directly by an adjective.
Mary was breathing quietly and seemed to be asleep.
Some people appeared to be immune to the virus.
See paragraph 3.192 for information on using a to-infinitive after these verbs.
3.135 With some verbs in the second group, especially feel, look, and seem, you can use the -ed participle of a verb as an adjective.
The other child looked neglected.
The quarrel of the night before seemed forgotten.
3.136 When you are using the second group of verbs to say what qualities someone or something seems to have, you may want to mention the person whose viewpoint you are giving. You can do this by using a phrase beginning with the preposition to. It usually comes after the adjective.
They looked all right to me.
It sounds unnatural to you, I expect.
3.137 You cannot use all adjectives with all linking verbs. Some verbs, such as be and look, are used with a wide range of adjectives and some are used with a restricted range. For example, taste is used only with adjectives that describe the taste of something; go is used mainly with adjectives that indicate colour or a negative state; and fall is used mainly with asleep, ill, and silent.
Sea water tastes nasty.
It tasted sweet like fruit juice.
Jack went red.
It all went horribly wrong.
The world has gone crazy.
He fell asleep at the table.
The courtroom fell silent.
Nouns after linking verbs: She is a teacher, It remained a secret
3.138 Nouns can be used after the following linking verbs:
be
become
remain
~
feel
look
prove
seem
sound
~
constitute
make
represent
~
comprise
form
qualities
3.139 You can use descriptive nouns or noun phrases after be, become, remain, feel, look, prove, seem, sound, constitute, and represent to say what qualities someone or something has.
Their policy on higher education is an unmitigated disaster.
He always seemed a controlled sort of man.
I feel a bit of a fraud.
The results of these experiments remain a secret.
Any change would represent a turnaround.
Make is only used as a linking verb with a noun that indicates whether someone is good at a particular job.
He’ll make a good president.
using one: That’s a nice one
3.140 With be, become, remain, feel, look, prove, seem, and sound, you can use a noun phrase based on one.
The noun phrase consists of a or an followed by the adjective and one, if the subject is singular. For example, instead of saying The school is large, you can say The school is a large one.