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JungKim Posted 9 years ago
Grammar

he returned an instant legend

This is part of a CNN transcript of a video paying tribute to John Glenn:

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): ...
In 1962, the military test pilot became the first American to orbit the earth. As Glenn lifted off in his "Friendship 7" capsule, fellow astronaut, Scott Carpenter at Mission Control uttered some of the most memorable words in U.S. history.
SCOTT CARPENTER, FORMER ASTRONAUT: God speed, John Glenn.
SAVIDGE: Three revolutions in four hours and 55 minutes later, he returned an instant legend.
Does the last clause in bold mean that he became an instant legend after his return or at the time of his return?

I also wonder if it's possible to say any of these variations of the last sentence:
Three revolutions in four hours and 55 minutes later, he returned as an instant legend.
Three revolutions in four hours and 55 minutes later, he returned to be an instant legend.
Three revolutions in four hours and 55 minutes later, he returned to become an instant legend.

I'd like to know whether any of these variations can mean the same thing -- and as well-formed and natural -- as the original.
  

Top answer

JungKim Does the last clause in bold mean that he became an instant legend after his return or at the time of his return? Before his return, actually. JungKim I'd like to know whether any of these variations can mean the same thing -- and as well-formed and natural -- as the original.

— Mister Micawber

  • JungKim Does the last clause in bold mean that he became an instant legend after his return or at the time of his return?
  • Before his return, actually.
  • JungKim I'd like to know whether any of these variations can mean the same thing -- and as well-formed and natural -- as the original.
  • None is as well formed.
  • Only the first is synonymous.
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5 Answers
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JungKimDoes the last clause in bold mean that he became an instant legend after his return or at the time of his return?
Before his return, actually.
JungKimI'd like to know whether any of these variations can mean the same thing -- and as well-formed and natural -- as the original.
None is as well formed. Only the first is
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Thanks.

If none is as well-formed as the original, then are any of the alternatives grammatical in the given context?

In other words, could the reporter have said any of the alternatives instead of the original in the same report?
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JungKimare any of the alternatives grammatical in the given context?
1. he returned an instant legend.
2. he returned as an instant legend.
3. he returned to be an instant legend.
4. he returned to become an instant legend.

All are grammatical.
2 means the same as 1.
3 has a usage problem with 'to be'. 4, with 'to become', is more
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CalifJim3 has a usage problem with 'to be'. 4, with 'to become', is more idiomatic there.
Do you mean that 'to be' is unidiomatic albeit grammatical?

But according to this ngram, there's no that much of a difference in usage:
https://goo.gl/h4PJb7

In this Google News searc
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JungKimDo you mean that 'to be' is unidiomatic albeit grammatical?
Yes. It is quite easy to write sentences that are grammatical, but which are unidiomatic or even nonsense.
JungKimBut according to this ngram, there's no that much of a difference in usage:https://goo.gl/h4P
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