0
Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
adverbial complement
According to a dictionary, pretend is usually used with clause or infinitive, or used with preposition to to denote 'lay claim to (a quality or title)'
It’s no good pretending otherwise.
->It's no good pretending in a different way.
Pretending in the above sentence takes no object. So, it is intransitive gerund, but If I delete the adverb, otherwise, the sentence above is a complete sentence that has all the necessary or appropriate parts? - It's no good pretending (?)
It’s no good pretending otherwise.
->It's no good pretending in a different way.
Pretending in the above sentence takes no object. So, it is intransitive gerund, but If I delete the adverb, otherwise, the sentence above is a complete sentence that has all the necessary or appropriate parts? - It's no good pretending (?)
Top answer
You are correct - “pretending” is an intransitive verb here. I’d say that “otherwise” was a pro-form (probably a pro-clause) referring to something mentioned earlier in the discourse. You might imagine it to be something like “He caused the accident, and it’s no good pretending otherwise”, where "otherwise" is interpreted as "He didn’t cause the accident".
- You are correct - “pretending” is an intransitive verb here.
- I’d say that “otherwise” was a pro-form (probably a pro-clause) referring to something mentioned earlier in the discourse.
- You might imagine it to be something like “He caused the accident, and it’s no good pretending otherwise”, where "otherwise" is interpreted as "He didn’t cause the accident".
- “Otherwise” is obligatory here; its omission may leave a grammatical sentence, but it changes its meaning somewhat.
- BillJ
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
1 Answers
0
You are correct - “pretending” is an intransitive verb here.
I’d say that “otherwise” was a pro-form (probably a pro-clause) referring to something mentioned earlier in the discourse. You might imagine it to be something like “He caused the accident, and it’s no good pretending otherwise”, where "otherwise" is interpreted as "He didn’t cause the accident". “Ot
I’d say that “otherwise” was a pro-form (probably a pro-clause) referring to something mentioned earlier in the discourse. You might imagine it to be something like “He caused the accident, and it’s no good pretending otherwise”, where "otherwise" is interpreted as "He didn’t cause the accident". “Ot
0
Related Questions