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Stuartgreg Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Participles and adjectives
Just a quick question:
If a present or past participle is being used adjectively, can it strictly (if we are using precise grammatical terminology) be called an adjective? Would it be more correct to refer to it as a participle, or are the two definitions interchangeable in this situation?
If a present or past participle is being used adjectively, can it strictly (if we are using precise grammatical terminology) be called an adjective? Would it be more correct to refer to it as a participle, or are the two definitions interchangeable in this situation?
Top answer
I've often asked myself that same question. In my opinion, it should not, but it probably depends on whose book you like. As is sometimes pointed out, we don't have an official "government" czar of AmE/BrE grammar.
- I've often asked myself that same question.
- In my opinion, it should not, but it probably depends on whose book you like.
- As is sometimes pointed out, we don't have an official "government" czar of AmE/BrE grammar.
- My American Heritage Dictionary has a "Usage Panel" of 154 [famous] scholars from various fields who vote on what's acceptable.
- " But I doubt they've addressed this particular issue.
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5 Answers
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I've often asked myself that same question. In my opinion, it should not, but it probably depends on whose book you like.
As is sometimes pointed out, we don't have an official "government" czar of AmE/BrE grammar.
My American Heritage Dictionary has a "Usage Panel" of 154 [famous] scholars from various fields who vote on what's acceptable. There's also a six-member "Board of Lingui
As is sometimes pointed out, we don't have an official "government" czar of AmE/BrE grammar.
My American Heritage Dictionary has a "Usage Panel" of 154 [famous] scholars from various fields who vote on what's acceptable. There's also a six-member "Board of Lingui
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stuartgregIf a present or past participle is being used adjectively, can it strictly (if we are using precise grammatical terminology) be called an adjective?Yes. You use the word "participle" if you want to call attention to the word's origin in a verb.
I would not hesitate to call the underlined words adjectives.
I'd like to read a
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CalifJim I would not hesitate to call the underlined words adjectives.
I'd like to read an interesting book tonight.
There was a broken cup on the table.
The children seemed to enjoy telling frightening stories.
Thank goodness they've found my lost keys. Hi, Jim,
These four words have separate main headings as adjectiv
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Hi Avangi, and CJ! Thanks for your replies.
So I think what you're saying CJ is that it just depends on the usage of the word in a particular sentence which determines what part of speech it is.
For instance, if the word is used adjectively, it is an adjective, regardless of what the origins of the word are.
Am I making sense here?
So I think what you're saying CJ is that it just depends on the usage of the word in a particular sentence which determines what part of speech it is.
For instance, if the word is used adjectively, it is an adjective, regardless of what the origins of the word are.
Am I making sense here?
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Hi, stuart,
Perhaps CJ lost track of this thread. I wasn't exactly sure what his answer was either.
If a present or past participle is being used adjectively, can it strictly (if we are using precise grammatical terminology) be called an adjective? Would it be more correct to refer to it as a participle, or
Perhaps CJ lost track of this thread. I wasn't exactly sure what his answer was either.
If a present or past participle is being used adjectively, can it strictly (if we are using precise grammatical terminology) be called an adjective? Would it be more correct to refer to it as a participle, or
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