Is the verb phrase a subject complement or a progressive verb?
Next point out the difference between verb phrases functioning as subject complements and verbs in the progressive aspect. The following sentences both contain the phrase is reading this book: • The most recent assignment is reading this book. • The child is reading this book. Both sentences contain the phrase is reading this book. However, only the first sentence contains a subject complement. The second sentence contains a verb in the progressive aspect. • Subject (Noun Phrase) | Predicate (Verb) | Subject Complement (Verb Phrase) • The most recent assignment | is | reading this book. • Subject (Noun Phrase) | Predicate (Progressive Verb) | Direct Object (Noun Phrase) • The child | is reading | this book. In the first sentence, the subject complement reading this book describes the subject the most recent assignment. In other words, the most recent assignment is reading this book, and reading this book is the most recent assignment. The linking verb is simply links the subject comple
