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Pastsimple Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
ankle-/knee-/waist-/breast-deep
Can all of the expressions below be used as both adjectives and adverbs?
We were standing ankle-deep/knee-deep/waist-deep/breast-deep in water. (adverbs)
The water is ankle-deep/knee-deep/waist-deep/breast-deep here. (adjectives)
My computer dictionary says:
ankle-deep adjective
knee-deep adjective or adverb
waist-deep adverb
breast-deep adverb
Also, does neck-deep mean only "deeply involved" or can it be used as the above expressions? If not, how would you talk about water that reaches up to the neck?
Thanks in advance, as always.
We were standing ankle-deep/knee-deep/waist-deep/breast-deep in water. (adverbs)
The water is ankle-deep/knee-deep/waist-deep/breast-deep here. (adjectives)
My computer dictionary says:
ankle-deep adjective
knee-deep adjective or adverb
waist-deep adverb
breast-deep adverb
Also, does neck-deep mean only "deeply involved" or can it be used as the above expressions? If not, how would you talk about water that reaches up to the neck?
Thanks in advance, as always.
Top answer
ankle-deep adjective knee-deep adjective or adverb waist-deep / high adverb Chest –deep / high adverb The storm last night caused the street to be flooded [ankle- deep]. Adverb The flood was knee-deep. Adjective
- ankle-deep adjective knee-deep adjective or adverb waist-deep / high adverb Chest –deep / high adverb The storm last night caused the street to be flooded [ankle- deep].
- Adverb The flood was knee-deep.
- Adjective
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2 Answers
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ankle-deep adjective
knee-deep adjective or adverb
waist-deep / high adverb
Chest –deep / high adverb
The storm last night caused the street to be flooded [ankle- deep]. Adverb
The flood was knee-deep. Adjective
knee-deep adjective or adverb
waist-deep / high adverb
Chest –deep / high adverb
The storm last night caused the street to be flooded [ankle- deep]. Adverb
The flood was knee-deep. Adjective
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Hello PS
I would say that all those expressions could be used either as adjectives or adverbs.
I can see no reason why "neck-deep" shouldn't function in a literal sense; but other expressions are probably more common, e.g.
1. He was up to his neck in water.
2. The water came up to his neck.
Have a good evening,
MrP
I would say that all those expressions could be used either as adjectives or adverbs.
I can see no reason why "neck-deep" shouldn't function in a literal sense; but other expressions are probably more common, e.g.
1. He was up to his neck in water.
2. The water came up to his neck.
Have a good evening,
MrP
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