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Akdom Posted 17 years ago
Wouldn't it make more sense to say "If God wills, we shall succeed."?
Grammar
God Willing, We Shall Succeed.
"God willing, we shall succeed."Is the word "willing", in this context, a verb? a participal? gerund? or else?
Wouldn't it make more sense to say "If God wills, we shall succeed."?
Top answer
I'd take it as a participle. ) "If *** wills it," would be a good version for learners, but the original is a fixed expression with a long tradition, and makes perfect sense to native speakers. Edit.
- I'd take it as a participle.
- ) "If *** wills it," would be a good version for learners, but the original is a fixed expression with a long tradition, and makes perfect sense to native speakers.
- Edit.
- The creek rising, we shall not be over tonight.
- People sometimes say these things in affirmation: Since *** is willing we shall succeed.
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2 Answers
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I'd take it as a participle. If *** be (subjunctive) willing, (adjective complement) (Willing is an adjective in its own right.)
"If *** wills it," would be a good version for learners, but the original is a fixed expression with a long tradition, and makes perfect sense to native speakers.
"If *** wills it," would be a good version for learners, but the original is a fixed expression with a long tradition, and makes perfect sense to native speakers.
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akdomIs the word "willing", in this context, a verb? a participal? gerund? or else?According to the dictionary (www.m-w.com) it's an adjective.
willing, adjective
1 : inclined or favorably disposed in mind
The sentence is a shorter form of this:
(If) *** (is) will
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