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Park sang joon Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
The participle modifying a verb
A shoplifter caught stealing a ring in a jewelry store pleaded, "Please don't call the police. I'' be glad to pay for it."
When the cashier presented him with the bill, he said, "That's a little more than I'd planned to spend. Could you show me something less expensive?"
a) In the above sentence, does the participle 'stealing' modify the verb 'caught'?
b) I know when the verb of a main clause mean an abstract concept, the participle expressing a specific action can't modify the verb; am I right?
1)I had lunch reading a book.
2)I am willing to go to uncle's place taking brothers with me.
3)I'm coming running.
4)I left work taking my briefcase.
c) Are the above sentences ungrammatical?
Thank you in advance for your help.
When the cashier presented him with the bill, he said, "That's a little more than I'd planned to spend. Could you show me something less expensive?"
a) In the above sentence, does the participle 'stealing' modify the verb 'caught'?
b) I know when the verb of a main clause mean an abstract concept, the participle expressing a specific action can't modify the verb; am I right?
1)I had lunch reading a book.
2)I am willing to go to uncle's place taking brothers with me.
3)I'm coming running.
4)I left work taking my briefcase.
c) Are the above sentences ungrammatical?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Top answer
park sang joon a) In the above sentence, does the participle 'stealing' modify the verb 'caught'? It is a complement of the verb. park sang joon I know when the verb of a main clause mean an abstract concept, the participle expressing a specific action can't modify the verb; am I right?
- park sang joon a) In the above sentence, does the participle 'stealing' modify the verb 'caught'?
- It is a complement of the verb.
- park sang joon I know when the verb of a main clause mean an abstract concept, the participle expressing a specific action can't modify the verb; am I right?
- I was not aware of that guideline.
- Examples 1 and 2 are unacceptable while examples 3 and 4 are common.
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10 Answers
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park sang joona) In the above sentence, does the participle 'stealing' modify the verb 'caught'?It is a complement of the verb.
park sang joonI know when the verb of a main clause mean an abstract concept, the participle expressing a specific action can't modify the verb; am I right?I was not aware of that guideline. Exam
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Hi
- When the verb of a main clause means an abstract concept, the participle expressing a specific action can't modify the verb
It sounds as though it could be a rule, but it would be good to see some examples
- I seemed, taking in the view, to be on another planet
Dave
- When the verb of a main clause means an abstract concept, the participle expressing a specific action can't modify the verb
It sounds as though it could be a rule, but it would be good to see some examples
- I seemed, taking in the view, to be on another planet
Dave
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Thank you, Mr.Micawber for your answer.
I gave up this thread for dead too.
I don't know why #1 is odd.
This sentence
I gave up this thread for dead too.
I don't know why #1 is odd.
This sentence
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Thank you Mr.Dave for your answer.
I seemed, taking in the view, to be on another planet.
The phrase 'taking in the view' is the participle phrase inserted, not a participle modifying a verb.
I seemed, taking in the view, to be on another planet.
The phrase 'taking in the view' is the participle phrase inserted, not a participle modifying a verb.
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Hi
Thanks. How about:
- I thought quickly taking only a few seconds to decide
Dave
Thanks. How about:
- I thought quickly taking only a few seconds to decide
Dave
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I thought quickly taking only a few seconds to decide
I don't know what the above sentence mean.
I just think that mean "I quickly thought of taking only a few seconds to decide."
I'm so sorry
I don't know what the above sentence mean.
I just think that mean "I quickly thought of taking only a few seconds to decide."
I'm so sorry
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Hi
I was just trying to think of abstract verbs modified by participles, where the sentence would be OK
My example (I probably should have put a comma in) was:
- I thought quickly, taking only a few seconds to decide
I believe that's a straightforward example of the abstract verb "I think" modified by the participle "taking"
In other words, I don't thin
I was just trying to think of abstract verbs modified by participles, where the sentence would be OK
My example (I probably should have put a comma in) was:
- I thought quickly, taking only a few seconds to decide
I believe that's a straightforward example of the abstract verb "I think" modified by the participle "taking"
In other words, I don't thin
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I thought quickly, taking only a few seconds to decide.
Sorry; I don't know your sentence yet.
You meant I thought quickly and I took only a few seconds to decide.
Even though I don't understand your example, I am certain in your example, 'taking' isn't the verb expressing a specific action.
Sorry; I don't know your sentence yet.
You meant I thought quickly and I took only a few seconds to decide.
Even though I don't understand your example, I am certain in your example, 'taking' isn't the verb expressing a specific action.
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dave_anon- I thought quickly, taking only a few seconds to decideI think the non-finite clause "taking only a few seconds to decide", modifies the subject, I, rather than the verb, "thought." Some might argue for a sentence modifier, though.
It is more closely associated with "I" as you can see if you convert the non-finite clause to a clause:
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Hi
I understand Alphecca's objection. But then it would seem that no participle modifies a verb and it has nothing to do with whether the verb is concrete or abstract ...
1) I had lunch; I was reading a book.
2) I am willing to go to uncle's place; I will take my brothers with me.
3) I'm coming; I am running.
4) I left work; I was taking my briefcase
All of
I understand Alphecca's objection. But then it would seem that no participle modifies a verb and it has nothing to do with whether the verb is concrete or abstract ...
1) I had lunch; I was reading a book.
2) I am willing to go to uncle's place; I will take my brothers with me.
3) I'm coming; I am running.
4) I left work; I was taking my briefcase
All of
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