In English, sentence structure and verb usage can sometimes be tricky, especially when trying to express something that seems straightforward. One common issue is deciding whether to include auxiliary verbs like ‘is’ in sentences. Let’s dive into why ‘is’ isn’t necessary in this particular sentence.
1. The Role of ‘Found’ as a Linking Verb
The sentence ‘I found it easy to use the tablet’ uses the verb ‘found’ in the past tense, which is a linking verb in this context. A linking verb connects the subject to a subject complement, which describes or identifies the subject. In this case, ‘it’ is linked to the adjective ‘easy’, which describes how the speaker found the tablet.
Because ‘found’ acts as a linking verb, there’s no need for ‘is’ after ‘it’. Adding ‘is’ would make the sentence unnecessarily complicated and grammatically incorrect in this structure.
2. The Infinitive Form ‘To Use’
Another key reason why ‘is’ is unnecessary is the use of the infinitive form ‘to use’ after ‘easy’. In English, when the adjective ‘easy’ is followed by an infinitive verb like ‘to use’, it forms a simple structure to express that the action was easy. The sentence ‘I found it easy to use the tablet’ follows this rule, showing that the task of using the tablet was easy.
Including ‘is’ would disrupt this structure, making it sound unnatural and awkward. The correct sentence keeps the infinitive form intact without any auxiliary verbs in between.
3. Understanding Sentence Structure in English
When forming sentences with verbs like ‘found’, it’s important to understand the role of linking verbs and their relationship to complements (like adjectives or noun phrases). In English, not all verbs require auxiliary verbs like ‘is’ to convey the intended meaning. Linking verbs like ‘found’ often connect the subject to a descriptive phrase, and these types of sentences don’t need ‘is’.
For example, in the sentence ‘I found it easy to use the tablet’, the structure follows the pattern ‘subject + linking verb + complement’. Adding ‘is’ would change the sentence’s meaning and grammatical correctness.
4. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
A common mistake for learners of English is to add auxiliary verbs unnecessarily, thinking they are required for a sentence to make sense. In sentences like ‘I found it easy to use the tablet’, it’s crucial to recognize the role of ‘found’ as a linking verb and the correct use of the infinitive ‘to use’.
When in doubt, focus on the basic structure: if a linking verb is used, no auxiliary verb is typically needed. This will help you form clearer, more natural sentences.
5. Summary
In summary, the sentence ‘I found it easy to use the tablet’ is grammatically correct without the word ‘is’. The verb ‘found’ serves as a linking verb, connecting ‘it’ to the adjective ‘easy’, and the infinitive ‘to use’ completes the thought without any extra verbs. By understanding the function of linking verbs and sentence structure, you can avoid common mistakes and improve your English grammar.
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