The copula may do many things besides assert. If the copula merely asserted, the same copula would do for all sentences. The following exercises show some of its other uses.

Exercise 14 Development

1. Mary is happy.

2. Mary was happy.

3. Mary will be happy.

4. Honesty is a virtue.

5. All men are mortal.

Why are different copulas used in the first three sentences? What is it that is present according to the first, and past according to the second, and future according to the third? How much of the time is honesty a virtue? What time is expressed by the copula in Sentences 4 and 5?