The right way to use "wash up"
A sick baby dugong named Mariam washed up in shallow waters two years ago
Hi guys. I came across this sentence in a newspaper yesterday. In my opinion, this sentence is wrong. It should be written in this way "A sick baby dugong named Mariam was washed up in shallow waters two years ago". I am curious why the author uses active voice! The baby dugong should be washed up by waves. Please help
Top answer
"wash up", in this sense, is one of a number of English verbs or verb phrases that allow the object to become the subject while keeping the same essential meaning. Thus, "the waves washed up the dugong" (passive: "the dugong was washed up (by the waves)") and "the dugong washed up" are both possible. It is the author's choice which to use.
- "wash up", in this sense, is one of a number of English verbs or verb phrases that allow the object to become the subject while keeping the same essential meaning.
- Thus, "the waves washed up the dugong" (passive: "the dugong was washed up (by the waves)") and "the dugong washed up" are both possible.
- It is the author's choice which to use.
- Another similar example would be "the sun dried the dugong"/"the dugong dried in the sun".
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
"wash up", in this sense, is one of a number of English verbs or verb phrases that allow the object to become the subject while keeping the same essential meaning. Thus, "the waves washed up the dugong" (passive: "the dugong was washed up (by the waves)") and "the dugong washed up" are both possible. It is the author's choice which to use.
Another similar example would be "the sun dried
0
Related Questions