英语中有相当多的系动词，都可跟一个表语，与之构成复合谓语。最常用的系动词有三类：

　　1.表示感觉的系动词，如：be, feel, look, sound, taste, smell, seem, appear:

　　He is(seems)very tired.

　　他(似乎)很累。

　　She looks a little nervous.

　　她看起来有点紧张。

　　Does the soup taste good?

　　这汤味道好吗?

　　It sounds a good idea.

　　听起来这是一个好主意。

　　2.表示状态转变的系动词，如：become, grow, get, turn, fall, go, come, run等：

　　Our dreams have at last come true.

　　我们的梦想终于实现了。

　　The country is getting more and more prosperous.

　　我们的国家日益繁荣。

　　She has grown as tall as her mother.

　　她长得和她妈妈一般高了。

　　The leaves have turned yellow.

　　树叶变黄了。

　　3.表示保持某种状态等的系动词，如：remain, continue, keep, stay, prove, turn out：

　　She remained quite calm.

　　她保持相当冷静。

　　Let's keep quiet.

　　咱们保持安静。

　　The weather continued fine for several days.

　　好几天天气都很好。

　　The shop stays open till seven o'clock.

　　这家商店开到七点。

　　有少数动词偶尔用作系动词，如：

　　The affair rests a mystery.

　　这件事一直是一个谜。

　　He flushed crimson with anger.

　　他气得满脸通红。

　　One of the tigers broke loose.

　　有一只老虎跑了出来。

　　His promise rang false to me.

　　他的诺言听起来不诚恳。

　　The snow lay thick on the ground.

　　地上航雪很深。

　　The carpet is wearing thin.

　　地毯磨得很薄了。

　　The door remains locked.

　　门仍锁着。