Make sure the windows are shut tight.

Question

Hello,I have asked a question in other forums but I have received different answers and now I am confused.This is my question:Make sure the windows are shut tight. How should we know that "tight" here has been used as an adjective or an adverb? It's confusing.  This is my understanding: 1. Make sure the windows are shut tight. (it's used as an adjective because we can say the windows are tight now.) 2. Make sure the windows are shut tight. (it's used as an adverb because it describes the act of shutting) You see? It's difficult. Isn't it? Thank you.

Fivejedjon · Accepted Answer

Please give the links to the other forums you mentioned so that we don't duplicate what others have already said.

I found two:
http://forum.wordreference.com/threads/i-pulled-the-string-tightly-tight.3105066/
http://forums.delphiforums.com/dictionary/messages?msg=40406.20

Sb70012 · Answer

http://forum.wordreference.com/threads/tightly-and-tight.610879/#post-15714064

http://forums.delphiforums.com/dictionary/messages/?msg=40421.2

In the first link one native English speaker has said that "shut" is not an adjective in my context. He has said that it's an adverb.

In the second link the other native English speaker has said that "shut" is an adjective in my context. He has said that it's not an adjective.

Now I am confused.
Thank you.

Sb70012 · Answer

I completely understood the answers and explanation in WR forum.
No need for answer here.

Sorry and thank you.

CalifJim · Answer

sb70012Make sure the windows are shut tight.

Let's concentrate on the relevant clause: The windows are shut tight.

According to some grammarians, 'tight' can be analyzed as an adjective or an adverb. 'tight' is a subject-oriented secondary predication. I have written several posts on the topic.

Start here:

CJ

GPY · Answer

CalifJim'tight' can be analyzed as an adjective or an adverb

I agree. You can say it's either, depending on how you look at it.

Clive · Answer

Let me ask you this.
If I say to you, 'Make sure the windows are shut tight, please', will you have difficulty understanding what I want you to do?

Clive

Sb70012 · Answer

Everybody, thank you for answering. In WR forum, one told me that "shut" in my context is just and adverb. It can't be an adjective in my context.

This is her/his saying:==> "If we talk about "tight windows" or say "the windows are tight" (adjective), this would mean that they are difficult to open or something is wrong with them. After we shut the window tight, the window is not tight. The word tight is not an adjective."

Don't you agree with the brown and red explanations that according to the above explanation, it's not appropriate to call it (shut) an adjective in my context?

Thank you.

Fivejedjon · Answer

There is insufficient context to give a definitive answer:

I hope the windows are open wide / shut tight. Check, please. Make sure the windows are open wide (wide open), shut tight.

The words open and shut are adjectives.

I don't think the maid understood exactly what I wanted her to do. Check please. Make sure the windows are opened wide / shut tight..

The words opened and shut are parts of passive constructions.

GPY · Answer

sb70012Everybody, thank you for answering. In WR forum, one told me that "shut" in my context is just and adverb. It can't be an adjective in my context.This is her/his saying:==> "If we talk about "tight windows" or say "the windows are tight" (adjective), this would mean that they are difficult to open or something is wrong with them. After we shut the window tight, the window is not tight. The word tight is not an adjective."Don't you agree with the brown and red explanations that according to the above explanation, it's not appropriate to call it (shut) an adjective in my context?

Well, I think it makes sense to say "Shut the window ... pull it hard so it's tight".

Make sure the windows are shut tight.

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