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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Adjective following verb?
The government remains firm in its opposition to tax reform.
I thought adj only modifies nouns. So why is "firm" coming behind the verb "remains"? So what exactly is "firm" modifying?
I thought adj only modifies nouns. So why is "firm" coming behind the verb "remains"? So what exactly is "firm" modifying?
Top answer
Anonymous The government remains firm in its opposition to tax reform. I thought adj only modifies nouns. So why is "firm" coming behind the verb "remains"?
- Anonymous The government remains firm in its opposition to tax reform.
- I thought adj only modifies nouns.
- So why is "firm" coming behind the verb "remains"?
- So what exactly is "firm" modifying?
- It is the government that is firm.
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2 Answers
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AnonymousThe government remains firm in its opposition to tax reform.It is the government that is firm. It was firm. It continued to be firm. It is still firm now.
I thought adj only modifies nouns. So why is "firm" coming behind the verb "remains"? So what exactly is "firm" modifying?
remains is a linking verb, like
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Hi Anon,
The government is firm in its opposition.
Adjectives that come after a linking verb still modify the noun. Some adjectives can go in either spot: The hat is red. The red hat.
Some adjectives can only come after the verb. The girl is alone. But not "The alone girl."
The firm-in-its-opposition-to-tax-reform government sounds very odd indeed!
Verbs that can link the su
The government is firm in its opposition.
Adjectives that come after a linking verb still modify the noun. Some adjectives can go in either spot: The hat is red. The red hat.
Some adjectives can only come after the verb. The girl is alone. But not "The alone girl."
The firm-in-its-opposition-to-tax-reform government sounds very odd indeed!
Verbs that can link the su
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