Is The Word To A Linking Verb

The word "to" is a fascinating element of the English language, primarily functioning as a preposition or an infinitive marker. It's essential to understand that "to" itself is not a linking verb. Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a noun or adjective that describes or identifies the subject. While "to be" in its various forms (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been) serves as the quintessential linking verb, the preposition "to" and the infinitive marker "to" operate quite differently. This article aims to clarify the role of "to" in different contexts, providing a comprehensive understanding of its functions and how it differs from linking verbs.

Understanding Linking Verbs

Before diving into the specifics of "to," it's crucial to have a solid grasp of what linking verbs are and how they function within a sentence.

What is a Linking Verb?

A linking verb, also known as a copula, connects the subject of a sentence to a subject complement. The subject complement renames or describes the subject. Unlike action verbs, which show action, linking verbs express a state of being or a connection.

Examples of Linking Verbs:

• Forms of "to be": is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been
• Sense Verbs: look, smell, taste, sound, feel
• Other Verbs: become, seem, appear, grow, remain, stay, prove

How Linking Verbs Work

Consider the following sentences:

• "She is a doctor."
  • Here, "is" links the subject "she" to the subject complement "doctor," which identifies what she is.
• "The soup tastes delicious."
  • In this case, "tastes" links the subject "soup" to the adjective "delicious," which describes the soup.
• "He seems happy."
  • "Seems" links the subject "he" to the adjective "happy," describing his state.

In each of these sentences, the linking verb connects the subject to information about the subject, rather than showing an action performed by the subject.

The Multifaceted Role of "To"

The word "to" primarily functions in two distinct ways: as a preposition and as an infinitive marker. It is critical to differentiate these roles to understand why "to" is not a linking verb.

"To" as a Preposition

As a preposition, "to" indicates direction, location, or a relationship between elements in a sentence. It is always followed by a noun or pronoun, forming a prepositional phrase.

• Direction: "I am going to the store."
  • Here, "to" indicates the direction of movement.
• Location: "The key is attached to the keychain."
  • In this context, "to" specifies the location or attachment.
• Relationship: "She is related to him."
  • Here, "to" indicates a relationship between two people.

"To" as an Infinitive Marker

"To" also serves as an infinitive marker. An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by "to." The infinitive form can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb within a sentence.

• Noun: " To err is human."
  • Here, "to err" functions as the subject of the sentence.
• Adjective: "I need a book to read."
  • In this case, "to read" modifies the noun "book."
• Adverb: "He went to study abroad."
  • Here, "to study" modifies the verb "went," indicating the purpose of his trip.

Why "To" Is Not a Linking Verb

Given the functions of "to" as a preposition and an infinitive marker, it becomes clear that "to" does not fit the definition or role of a linking verb.

1. Linking Verbs Connect Subjects to Complements:
   • Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a subject complement that renames or describes the subject. The preposition "to" connects nouns or pronouns to other parts of the sentence, indicating direction, location, or relationship. The infinitive marker "to" introduces the base form of a verb, which can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
2. "To" Does Not Express a State of Being:
   • Linking verbs express a state of being or a connection. The preposition "to" does not express a state of being; it indicates relationships or direction. The infinitive marker "to" simply identifies the base form of a verb and does not, in itself, express a state of being.
3. Grammatical Structure:
   • The grammatical structure involving "to" differs significantly from that of linking verbs. A linking verb is followed by a subject complement (noun or adjective), whereas the preposition "to" is followed by a noun or pronoun, and the infinitive marker "to" is followed by the base form of a verb.

Examples to Illustrate the Difference

Consider these examples to further illustrate the distinction:

• Linking Verb: "He is happy."
  • "Is" links the subject "he" to the adjective "happy," describing his state.
• "To" as a Preposition: "He went to the park."
  • "To" indicates the direction he went; it doesn't describe "he."
• "To" as an Infinitive Marker: "He likes to swim."
  • "To swim" functions as a noun (the object of the verb "likes"), not a descriptor of "he."

Common Confusions and Clarifications

Sometimes, the presence of "to" near a verb might cause confusion. However, it's essential to analyze the sentence structure to determine the actual function of the words.

1. "To Be" Constructions:
   • The confusion often arises because the phrase "to be" (an infinitive form) includes the verb "be," which is a linking verb. However, the "to" in "to be" is an infinitive marker, not the linking verb itself.
   • Example: " To be or not to be, that is the question."
     • Here, "to be" functions as a noun phrase, the subject of the sentence fragment "that is the question." The linking verb "is" connects "that" to "the question."
2. Verbs Followed by "To":
   • Some verbs are commonly followed by "to" + infinitive. In these cases, "to" is still an infinitive marker, and the main verb performs its function within the sentence.
   • Example: "She wants to dance."
     • "Wants" is the main verb, and "to dance" is an infinitive functioning as the object of "wants."
3. Phrasal Verbs with "To":
   • Certain phrasal verbs include "to" as part of the fixed expression. In these cases, "to" is part of the verb construction rather than a separate preposition.
   • Example: "I look forward to seeing you."
     • "Look forward to" is a phrasal verb, and "seeing" is a gerund (verb acting as a noun) that follows the preposition "to."

Deep Dive: Grammatical Analysis

To further solidify the understanding, let's analyze sentence structures involving "to" and linking verbs:

Sentence Structure with Linking Verbs:

• Subject + Linking Verb + Subject Complement (Noun or Adjective)
  • Example: "The sky is blue." (Subject: sky, Linking Verb: is, Subject Complement: blue)

Sentence Structure with "To" as a Preposition:

• Various structures, but generally:
  • Main Clause + Preposition "to" + Noun/Pronoun
  • Example: "I sent the letter to my friend." (Preposition: to, Noun: friend)

Sentence Structure with "To" as an Infinitive Marker:

• Various structures, depending on the infinitive's function:
  • "To" + Verb (Infinitive) as Subject: "To forgive is divine."
  • Verb + "To" + Verb (Infinitive) as Object: "He likes to read."
  • Noun + "To" + Verb (Infinitive) as Modifier: "I need water to drink."

Comparative Examples: "To Be" vs. "To Go"

Let's compare the use of "to be" and "to go" to illustrate the differences:

1. "To Be" (Infinitive, with "Be" as a Linking Verb):

   • "To be successful requires hard work."
     • Here, "to be" is an infinitive phrase functioning as the subject of the sentence. "Be" is a linking verb within the infinitive phrase, but "to" is merely the infinitive marker.
   • "She wants to be a teacher."
     • Again, "to be" is part of an infinitive phrase acting as the object of the verb "wants."

2. "To Go" (Infinitive, with "Go" as an Action Verb):

   • "He likes to go hiking."
     • Here, "to go" is an infinitive phrase, but "go" is an action verb, not a linking verb.
   • "They decided to go to the concert."
     • "To go" is an infinitive phrase acting as the object of the verb "decided."

Practical Exercises

To reinforce your understanding, try these exercises:

Identify the Function of "To" in Each Sentence:

1. She went to the library.
2. To learn is important.
3. I need to study.
4. He is related to her.
5. They want to travel.

Answers:

1. Preposition (direction)
2. Infinitive marker (noun)
3. Infinitive marker (adverbial)
4. Preposition (relationship)
5. Infinitive marker (noun)

Identify the Linking Verbs (if any) in Each Sentence:

1. She seems happy.
2. He went to the store.
3. The soup tastes delicious.
4. To err is human.
5. They are students.

Answers:

1. Seems
2. None
3. Tastes
4. Is
5. Are

The Nuances of "To" in Idiomatic Expressions

It is also worth noting that "to" appears in numerous idiomatic expressions where its function might seem less straightforward. Understanding these expressions requires recognizing them as fixed phrases.

• "According to": This phrase is used to indicate the source of information.
  • "According to the report, sales have increased."
• "Due to": This phrase means "because of."
  • "The game was canceled due to rain."
• "Used to": This phrase indicates a past habit or state.
  • "I used to live in New York."

In these expressions, "to" is part of a larger, fixed phrase and doesn't function as a simple preposition or infinitive marker. The meaning of the phrase is derived from the entire expression, not from the individual words.

Advanced Considerations: Dative Case and Indirect Objects

In some contexts, particularly when discussing grammar in a more traditional or formal way, the preposition "to" is associated with the dative case. The dative case typically indicates the indirect object of a verb.

• Indirect Object: An indirect object receives the direct object. It answers the question "to whom?" or "for whom?"

Example: "She gave the book to him."

• Here, "book" is the direct object (what she gave), and "him" is the indirect object (to whom she gave it). The preposition "to" indicates the recipient of the action.

However, it is important to note that modern English relies more on word order and prepositions to indicate grammatical roles rather than explicit case markings. The function of "to" in indicating the indirect object is more relevant in languages with more prominent case systems (like German or Latin).

Comparative Linguistics: "To" in Other Languages

Examining how similar concepts are expressed in other languages can provide further insight into the unique role of "to" in English.

• French: The preposition "à" can serve similar functions to "to" in English, indicating direction or relationship. However, the structure and usage of "à" differ in many respects.
• German: The preposition "zu" can also indicate direction or purpose, similar to "to." Additionally, German uses case markings (dative, accusative) to indicate grammatical roles more explicitly than English.
• Spanish: The preposition "a" serves similar functions, indicating direction or the recipient of an action.

Comparing these prepositions across languages highlights the specific ways in which English uses "to" to convey relationships, direction, and purpose.

Conclusion

In summary, the word "to" is not a linking verb. It functions primarily as a preposition, indicating direction, location, or relationship, and as an infinitive marker, introducing the base form of a verb. While "to be" includes the verb "be," which is a linking verb, the "to" in "to be" is an infinitive marker, not the linking verb itself. Understanding the distinct roles of "to" and linking verbs is crucial for mastering English grammar and sentence structure. By analyzing sentence structure, recognizing the function of "to" in different contexts, and practicing identifying linking verbs, one can avoid common confusions and gain a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of the English language.