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Mercyful_fate Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

How to know if the word functions as a verb or adjective

For instance, I'm starting to get worried, This is the only example I have in my mind now. So, how do I know whether the word "worried" functions as a verb or adjective? I'm asking specifically about the words that can be a verb or an adjective.
  

Top answer

When a past participle is used in forming a finite verb structure, it will appear with the auxilliary "to have" (perfect tenses) or "to be" (passive structure). So you're safe in assuming that in "I'm starting to get worried," "Worried" is used as an adjective. Often the passive structures (to be worried) are still ambiguous, and may also be viewed as adjectives.

— Avangi

  • When a past participle is used in forming a finite verb structure, it will appear with the auxilliary "to have" (perfect tenses) or "to be" (passive structure).
  • So you're safe in assuming that in "I'm starting to get worried," "Worried" is used as an adjective.
  • Often the passive structures (to be worried) are still ambiguous, and may also be viewed as adjectives.
  • When he saw the news on TV, he was worried.
  • ( The news worried him - verb; The news made him worried - adjective) The perfect tenses (have worried; had worried) are always verbs.
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1 Answers
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When a past participle is used in forming a finite verb structure, it will appear with the auxilliary "to have" (perfect tenses) or "to be" (passive structure).

So you're safe in assuming that in "I'm starting to get worried," "Worried" is used as an adjective.

Often the passive structures (to be worried) are still ambiguous, and may also be viewed as adjectives.
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