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Harry1999 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Passive or past participle adjective?

Hi,

Sometimes, it’s difficult to recognize passive and past participle adjective.

There are two verbs “Transitive-A transitive verb requires both a subject and an object “and “Intransitive- cannot take a direct object”. While considering passives, we have to identify the object. Indirect object (which, like a direct object, is always a “noun” or “pronoun”. in a sense, the recipient of the direct object. To determine if a verb has an indirect object, isolate the verb and ask to whom? To what?, for whom?, or for what? after it.

E.g. A postcard was sent to him.

He was sent a post card.

A direct object answers the question "What?", while an indirect object answers the question "To whom?" or "For whom?

Direct object- A postcard (What was sent to him?).

Indirect object- He (To whom was the post card sent?).

For intransitive verbs (can not take a direct object).

What about this sentence?

They have been married for 3 years. Should it be, They have married for 3 years?

See the word “Marry”. Marry is a transitive and intransitive verb as well, but here it’s a transitive.

Per rule if the question is asked “What” or “Whom” and it’s a passive voice sentence. We can’t figure out the direct object here!

What would be its active voice?

Is the word marry used here a past participle adjective?

Also what does the word "perceived"indicate here?

Ambitious guys are usually perceived to be more attractive by girls since they provide them with a sense of a secure future.

Thanks!!
  

Top answer

Hi Harry, Whether the verb is participle adjective or passive verb really depends on how one approaches the sentence, and perhap how heis taught. harry1999 Ambitious guys are usually perceived to be more attractive by girls To me, it is passive. But there are those who view the verb used in this construction as participle adjective, just like "I am exhausted ".

  • Hi Harry, Whether the verb is participle adjective or passive verb really depends on how one approaches the sentence, and perhap how heis taught.
  • harry1999 Ambitious guys are usually perceived to be more attractive by girls To me, it is passive.
  • But there are those who view the verb used in this construction as participle adjective, just like "I am exhausted ".
  • There are many verbs which can really create problems for learners: I am excited.
  • I was so embarrased.
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1 Answers
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Hi Harry,

Whether the verb is participle adjective or passive verb really depends on how one approaches the sentence, and perhap how heis taught.
harry1999Ambitious guys are usually perceived to be more attractive by girls
To me, it is passive.

But there are those who view the verb used in this construction

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