Dogs

The dog doesn't like to be pet.

Petted isn't a word.

According to Merriam-Webster, "petted" is a word. To see, [url="http://www.webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=petted"]Click here[/url]

I would definitely use "petted" or avoid that whole awkward sentence by saying, "The dog doesn't like when people pet him/he

Longman dictionary of contemporary English uses this sentence to exemplify the usage of the word pet:

"Our cat loves being petted."

(Sorry Haogide, seems we sent our messages at the same time)

"The dog doesn't like to be petted" is correct.
"To pet" is regular verb, and "petted" is used here as its past participle.

The sentence is similar to:
"Our dog doesn't like to be fed potatoes." (fed= past participle of "to feed")


"The dog doesn't like to be pet" does not mean anything. It is not a correct construction.

Miriam

You should definately use the past participle. I think the p.p. varies depending on your English background. For example in England the p.p. of "to pet" is "pet". In the United States the p.p. of "to pet" is "petted". Both are correct. Looks like you and your mother each owe one another $20. I THINK.

There are a number of verbs like this.

To get. Am = gotten. Eng = got.

Guest,
Are you British?
I have just checked two BrE dictionaries, and "pet" appears as a regular verb in both (meaning that it will add "-ed" to form the past tense and the past participle).
Do you know of any written sources where I might find "pet" as a past participle?

Thank you.

I would disagree with you there, Guest. In my opinion, the pp of PET is PETTED.

My dog is petted a great deal (too much, she's spoiled of course).



Henry
www.Free-ESL.com