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Musicgold Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Event versus state

Hi,



Which of the following sentences is likely to be used by a native speaker when they want to describe the state of their printer. I understand the technical difference between the sentences but I wish to know the preference.



1. My printer is run out of ink (describes the state of the printer)

2. My printer has run out of ink (describes an event just occurred)

3. My printer ran out of ink. (Describes an event occurred in the past)



Thanks,



MG.
  

Top answer

Musicgold 1. My printer is run out of ink (describes the state of the printer) 2. My printer has run out of ink (describes an event just occurred) 3.

— Anonymous

  • Musicgold 1.
  • My printer is run out of ink (describes the state of the printer) 2.
  • My printer has run out of ink (describes an event just occurred) 3.
  • My printer ran out of ink.
  • (Describes an event occurred in the past) # 2 and 3 are fine.
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4 Answers
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Musicgold1. My printer is run out of ink (describes the state of the printer)
2. My printer has run out of ink (describes an event just occurred)
3. My printer ran out of ink. (Describes an event occurred in the past)

# 2 and 3 are fine. For #1, it would sound better to say "My printer is out of ink." Or if it still has a bit of ink left, you
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1. "is out"

2. "just ran out"

3. OK

Only 3. is idiomatic as stated.
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MusicgoldMy printer is run out of ink
Ungrammatical. Use "My printer is out of ink."

1b. My printer is out of ink. (describes the current situation)

2. My printer has run out of ink (describes the current situation in terms of the result of a past event)
3. My printer ran out of ink. (tells -- does not "describe" -- what (event) hap
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