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Seagull Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
State/ Action Verb, Present Participle
Hello there,
I have a couple of questions.
Following is an English grammar question from a magazine for English learners.
Fill the blank with some of the items below. There are more than one correct answers.
That is ( ).
#1 an answering machine #2 a sleeping baby #3 a swimming boy #4 a walking man
The presenter of this question, a nonnative scholar, says that the correct answers are #1 and #2. I agree with him because I also think #3 and #4 sound somewhat unnatural.
However, I can't agree with his following comments. He says that in the "Verb-ing + Noun" structure, if the Noun is a person, we can use a state verb as the Verb but we cannot use an action verb. He also says that we can say "That is a sleeping baby." because 'sleep' is a state verb, not an action verb.
Q1 Is 'sleep' a state verb? I checked quite a few dictionaries and grammar books, but none of them says it is a state verb.
Q2 How do you think you would explain the question above?
I have a couple of questions.
Following is an English grammar question from a magazine for English learners.
Fill the blank with some of the items below. There are more than one correct answers.
That is ( ).
#1 an answering machine #2 a sleeping baby #3 a swimming boy #4 a walking man
The presenter of this question, a nonnative scholar, says that the correct answers are #1 and #2. I agree with him because I also think #3 and #4 sound somewhat unnatural.
However, I can't agree with his following comments. He says that in the "Verb-ing + Noun" structure, if the Noun is a person, we can use a state verb as the Verb but we cannot use an action verb. He also says that we can say "That is a sleeping baby." because 'sleep' is a state verb, not an action verb.
Q1 Is 'sleep' a state verb? I checked quite a few dictionaries and grammar books, but none of them says it is a state verb.
Q2 How do you think you would explain the question above?
Top answer
seagull #1 an answering machine #2 a sleeping baby #3 a swimming boy #4 a walking man All four are possible. seagull He says that in the "Verb-ing + Noun" structure, if the Noun is a person, we can use a state verb as the Verb but we cannot use an action verb. Nonsense.
- seagull #1 an answering machine #2 a sleeping baby #3 a swimming boy #4 a walking man All four are possible.
- seagull He says that in the "Verb-ing + Noun" structure, if the Noun is a person, we can use a state verb as the Verb but we cannot use an action verb.
- Nonsense.
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4 Answers
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seagull#1 an answering machine #2 a sleeping baby #3 a swimming boy #4 a walking manAll four are possible.
seagull He says that in the "Verb-ing + Noun" structure, if the Noun is a person, we can use a state verb as the Verb but we cannot use an action verb.Nonsense.
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seagullIs 'sleep' a state verb?In the Vendler system, which classifies event types, 'sleep' is not a state. It is regarded as an activity. (I'll grant you it's a very low-energy activity, but it's an activity.)
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Thank you so much, CalifJim.
I didn't understand the core of the question before you taught me. Your photo/ video comparison helped me a lot.
Many thanks for your clear explanation.
I didn't understand the core of the question before you taught me. Your photo/ video comparison helped me a lot.
Many thanks for your clear explanation.
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