0
Azz Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Be out of breath
Can one say
a. He is out of breath just standing up.
b. He runs out of breath just standing up.
?
Obviously the sentences are hyperbolic. They might be used for comic effect.
My problem with (a) is that 'is' seems to indicate a state, but here we are dealing with a change. Maybe 'is' is used in a more dynamic sense here.
Many thanks.
a. He is out of breath just standing up.
b. He runs out of breath just standing up.
?
Obviously the sentences are hyperbolic. They might be used for comic effect.
My problem with (a) is that 'is' seems to indicate a state, but here we are dealing with a change. Maybe 'is' is used in a more dynamic sense here.
Many thanks.
Top answer
azz My problem with (a) is that 'is' seems to indicate a state, but here we are dealing with a change. I agree. Don't use A.
- azz My problem with (a) is that 'is' seems to indicate a state, but here we are dealing with a change.
- I agree.
- Don't use A.
- azz Maybe 'is' is used in a more dynamic sense here.
- There is no such sense, I think.
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
azzMy problem with (a) is that 'is' seems to indicate a state, but here we are dealing with a change.I agree. Don't use A.
azzMaybe 'is' is used in a more dynamic sense here.There is no such sense, I think.
0
Related Questions