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Pructus Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Paint up the barn
Hello...
The mark * means ungrammatical.
Are the markings below correct?
Or, it just varies among native speakers?
(1)
a. They painted the barn up red.
b. *They painted up the barn red.
(2)
a. They made John out a liar.
b. *They made out John a liar.
(3)
a. He put his saddle up on the fence.
b. *He put up his saddle on the fence.
(4)
a. He threw the cat down into the well.
b. *He threw down the cat into the well.
The mark * means ungrammatical.
Are the markings below correct?
Or, it just varies among native speakers?
(1)
a. They painted the barn up red.
b. *They painted up the barn red.
(2)
a. They made John out a liar.
b. *They made out John a liar.
(3)
a. He put his saddle up on the fence.
b. *He put up his saddle on the fence.
(4)
a. He threw the cat down into the well.
b. *He threw down the cat into the well.
Top answer
I have never heard of painting "up" something, so neither 1a nor 1b is natural to me. 2a (which I believe has come up before) would more usually be "They made John out to be a liar". I'm not sure I agree that 3b and 4b are actually ungrammatical , but I agree that they are a less natural word order.
- I have never heard of painting "up" something, so neither 1a nor 1b is natural to me.
- 2a (which I believe has come up before) would more usually be "They made John out to be a liar".
- I'm not sure I agree that 3b and 4b are actually ungrammatical , but I agree that they are a less natural word order.
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6 Answers
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I have never heard of painting "up" something, so neither 1a nor 1b is natural to me.
2a (which I believe has come up before) would more usually be "They made John out to be a liar".
I'm not sure I agree that 3b and 4b are actually ungrammatical, but I agree that they are a less natural word order.
2a (which I believe has come up before) would more usually be "They made John out to be a liar".
I'm not sure I agree that 3b and 4b are actually ungrammatical, but I agree that they are a less natural word order.
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GPY is right about 1a and 1b.
pructus, it's worth remembering that there are English speakers, even native ones, who frequently misuse the word up. They seem to be on a mission to force that word into as many contexts as possible, even when it is not needed and therefore wordy. It's one of the most misused words in English.
1a and 1b are examples of that.
pructus, it's worth remembering that there are English speakers, even native ones, who frequently misuse the word up. They seem to be on a mission to force that word into as many contexts as possible, even when it is not needed and therefore wordy. It's one of the most misused words in English.
1a and 1b are examples of that.
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I'll add my judgments in red.
(1)
a. *They painted the barn up red.
b. **They painted up the barn red.
They painted the barn red.
(2)
a. *They made John out a liar.
b. **They made ou
(1)
a. *They painted the barn up red.
b. **They painted up the barn red.
They painted the barn red.
(2)
a. *They made John out a liar.
b. **They made ou
00
I see... I see...
Thanks so much for the clear-cut explanations, GPY!!
Thanks so much for the clear-cut explanations, GPY!!
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I see... I see...
Thanks so much CJ, for the explanations and judgments!!
Reading your explanations on (3), the meaning difference seems to be so delicate...
Thanks so much CJ, for the explanations and judgments!!
Reading your explanations on (3), the meaning difference seems to be so delicate...
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