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Masonshi Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Linking Verbs
Hello Sir/Madam,
I have a question on the topic of linking verbs. In the following example, is the word "eaten" an adjective or verb?
Example: The man was eaten by the monster.
Currently, I feel eaten is an adjective because it modifies man.
Thank you very much.
I have a question on the topic of linking verbs. In the following example, is the word "eaten" an adjective or verb?
Example: The man was eaten by the monster.
Currently, I feel eaten is an adjective because it modifies man.
Thank you very much.
Top answer
was eaten in that sentence is a typical passive verb phrase. eaten is not an adjective. It does not modify man because you are not talking about an eaten man.
- was eaten in that sentence is a typical passive verb phrase.
- eaten is not an adjective.
- It does not modify man because you are not talking about an eaten man.
- Getting eaten is what happens to the man, not the kind of man that he is .
- Things that happen are expressed with verbs.
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2 Answers
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was eaten in that sentence is a typical passive verb phrase.
eaten is not an adjective. It does not modify man because you are not talking about an eaten man. Getting eaten is what happens to the man, not the kind of man that he is. Things that happen are expressed with verbs.
CJ
eaten is not an adjective. It does not modify man because you are not talking about an eaten man. Getting eaten is what happens to the man, not the kind of man that he is. Things that happen are expressed with verbs.
CJ
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The entire verb is was eaten. The word eaten is not an adjective. The reason you may feel that it "modifies" man is because man is the subject of this verb.
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