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Yyfroy Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

" spread out " usage

Do native English speakers say, "His giant wings were spread out on either side of him."
OR "His giant wings spread out on either side of him." ?
Or both of them are correct.
  

Top answer

I have never had any occasion to mention someone's giant wings. Your uses of both the active and passive forms of 'spread' are OK, though. The active form ('spread') indicates that the action is happening; the passive form ('were spread') indicates the condition of opened wings (unless someone else did the spreading of his wings).

— Mister Micawber

  • I have never had any occasion to mention someone's giant wings.
  • Your uses of both the active and passive forms of 'spread' are OK, though.
  • The active form ('spread') indicates that the action is happening; the passive form ('were spread') indicates the condition of opened wings (unless someone else did the spreading of his wings).
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2 Answers
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I have never had any occasion to mention someone's giant wings. Your uses of both the active and passive forms of 'spread' are OK, though. The active form ('spread') indicates that the action is happening; the passive form ('were spread') indicates the condition of opened wings (unless someone else did the spreading of his wings).
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It's from the Magic Tree House, a kid's fiction book.
Thank you very much.
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