0 a type of verb, of which the most common is "be", that joins the subject of the verb with a complement: --
Copula can modify a verb phrase only if the value of the feature (head copula) is allowed.
Minor register variation patterns are introduced by variation in equational and copula verb constructions, and by avoidance of some of the case variables.
The sociolinguistic approach to copula contrast does not surface in the textbooks or in classroom discussion.
Specifically, are and preceding vowels favor copula absence, whereas is and preceding consonants disfavor copula absence.
For this variable, the zero copula is near-categorical in conversation styles, occurring with 90% frequency.
The first finite forms usually are modals and the copula\auxiliary is, supplemented by a limited set of stative lexical verbs.
At the same time, we did see development in language-specific inflectional morphology and syntax required for copulas and lexical main verbs.
They never attempt to invert main verbs (other than copula be).
