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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Past participle or adjective?
In the sentence, "Licked clean, the plate hardly needed washing." is the word 'licked' a past participle or an adjective?
Top answer
Would anyone agree that "licked" can be considered a modifier of "clean"? reason? well, how was it cleaned ?
- Would anyone agree that "licked" can be considered a modifier of "clean"?
- reason?
- well, how was it cleaned ?
- it was "licked" cleaned.
- So there is a "how" element in the quesion.
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3 Answers
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Would anyone agree that "licked" can be considered a modifier of "clean"? reason? well, how was it cleaned ? it was "licked" cleaned. So there is a "how" element in the quesion. If so, any problem qualifying it as an adverb. I know this probably draws some oppositions.
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Would you have any doubt that it was a participle if it were "Licked clean by the dog"?
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Well, I have no doubt at all that past participles can be used as adjectives. That being said, I am also in the camp of people who also see this usage passive. "Licked clean by the dog"? - sure it's a participle used passively. Now, back to my earlier question, any thoughts?
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