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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
AGENTLESS PASSIVE AND PARTICIPLE ADJECTIVE
Hi,
I sometimes have difficulty in knowing whether a participle in an agentless passive and a participle after a "be" verb is acting as an adjective or part of a verb.
eg,
The work is finished. -- looks to be an agentless passive indicating work that is finished.
The finished work of his is not satisfactory. -- Here, the 'finished' seems to be an adjective.
I sometimes have difficulty in knowing whether a participle in an agentless passive and a participle after a "be" verb is acting as an adjective or part of a verb.
eg,
The work is finished. -- looks to be an agentless passive indicating work that is finished.
The finished work of his is not satisfactory. -- Here, the 'finished' seems to be an adjective.
Top answer
Hello Anon, 1. The work is finished. 2.
- Hello Anon, 1.
- The work is finished.
- 2.
- The work was finished on time.
- 3.
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2 Answers
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Hello Anon,
1. The work is finished.
2. The work was finished on time.
3. As we watch, the work is finished to its usual high standard.
I would take "finished" in #1 as a adjective, since it describes a state ("complete"); but in #2 and #3 as part of a passive construction, as it expresses an action.
Best wishes,
MrP
1. The work is finished.
2. The work was finished on time.
3. As we watch, the work is finished to its usual high standard.
I would take "finished" in #1 as a adjective, since it describes a state ("complete"); but in #2 and #3 as part of a passive construction, as it expresses an action.
Best wishes,
MrP
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AnonymousI sometimes have difficulty in knowing whether a participle in an agentless passive ......You may find this of some interest.
See
CJ
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