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Tomeng Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Speak a language is a state verb or not?
Hi all,
I have a question in my mind,which I can not answer clearly. Speak is presented as an action verb in most places, and it suits most situations. However, when we want to use "speak" for somebody's ability to speak a language, that is know a language,I don't reckon we can acknowledge it as an action verb but a state verb. eg. "How long have you spoken Italian?"
We can compare it to the case of verb "live". We can use "live" as an action verb for sure, and also we can use it as an state verb when we we want to express place of living,which puts forth a state that isn't changing.
All comments appreciated,
Thanks,
I have a question in my mind,which I can not answer clearly. Speak is presented as an action verb in most places, and it suits most situations. However, when we want to use "speak" for somebody's ability to speak a language, that is know a language,I don't reckon we can acknowledge it as an action verb but a state verb. eg. "How long have you spoken Italian?"
We can compare it to the case of verb "live". We can use "live" as an action verb for sure, and also we can use it as an state verb when we we want to express place of living,which puts forth a state that isn't changing.
All comments appreciated,
Thanks,
Top answer
tomeng However, when we want to use "speak" for somebody's ability to speak a language, that is know a language,I don't reckon we can acknowledge it as an action verb but a state verb. I agree.
- tomeng However, when we want to use "speak" for somebody's ability to speak a language, that is know a language,I don't reckon we can acknowledge it as an action verb but a state verb.
- I agree.
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2 Answers
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tomengHowever, when we want to use "speak" for somebody's ability to speak a language, that is know a language,I don't reckon we can acknowledge it as an action verb but a state verb.I agree.
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tomengAll comments appreciated,I agree with your analysis. In the stative sense "speak" is closer to "can speak", "know how to speak" in meaning.
CJ
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