Type 2: be-verbs and linking verbs that describe the subject's state, role, or condition.
Type 2: Descriptive Sentences
Unlike action sentences, descriptive sentences focus on the subject itself. The purpose is to describe a state, condition, or role of the subject.
The most common verbs in these sentences are the be-verbs — am, is, are, was, were — but there are others like "seems" and "appears" (more on those below).
Basic Examples
Markis [ a firefighter ]. (role)
Markis [ sick ]. (condition)
Markis [ tall ]. (state)
The word or phrase after the be-verb — the part in brackets — is called the predicate. It completes the description of the subject.
More Examples
The cakeis delicious.
Maryis kind.
The girlsare excited.
The cakeis(on the table).
Suzieis happy.
The girl scoutsare(in the bakery).
Suzieis a baker.
Maryis a girl scout.
The cakeis amazing.
The bakeryis famous.
The storeis nearby.
The meetingis today.
Suziewill be happy tomorrow.
Other Descriptive (Linking) Verbs
Besides be-verbs, there are other verbs that work the same way — they link the subject to a description rather than expressing an action. Here is a grid of the most common ones.
In traditional grammar these are called "linking verbs" — but you don't need to remember that.