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Komountain Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
The verb 'to stand' (progressive usage)
This is what I have known:
When the verb "stand" goes with an animate subject, it can be used in a progressive form.
(1) He IS STANDING aginst the tree trunk over there. (correct)
But when it goes with an inanimate subject, it can't be used in that form.
(2) The building IS STANDING in the middle of the city. (incorrect)
Is my understanding valid? Sometimes doubt creeps in.
Are the following sentences correct or incorrect?
(3) Go get me the ladder. It IS STANDING against the garage wall.
(4) Where is it gone? It WAS STANDING here a minute ago. (it = a mop)
(5) I saw a horror movie last night. My hair WAS STANDING on end.
And what about this?
If a reporter on a demolition site is reporting live, can he say like this?
(6) The building WAS STANDING right here a moment ago, but now it's completely gone.
I'd appreciate your expertise.
When the verb "stand" goes with an animate subject, it can be used in a progressive form.
(1) He IS STANDING aginst the tree trunk over there. (correct)
But when it goes with an inanimate subject, it can't be used in that form.
(2) The building IS STANDING in the middle of the city. (incorrect)
Is my understanding valid? Sometimes doubt creeps in.
Are the following sentences correct or incorrect?
(3) Go get me the ladder. It IS STANDING against the garage wall.
(4) Where is it gone? It WAS STANDING here a minute ago. (it = a mop)
(5) I saw a horror movie last night. My hair WAS STANDING on end.
And what about this?
If a reporter on a demolition site is reporting live, can he say like this?
(6) The building WAS STANDING right here a moment ago, but now it's completely gone.
I'd appreciate your expertise.
Top answer
Hello Komountain The progressive form of a tense denotes that the event the verb describes was, is, or will be 'continuing'. If the subject of the verb is unable to 'continue' in a significant sense, the use of a progressive form will seem incongruous. In your example 2, for instance, 'the building is standing' suggests that the building is capable of a change of state.
- Hello Komountain The progressive form of a tense denotes that the event the verb describes was, is, or will be 'continuing'.
- If the subject of the verb is unable to 'continue' in a significant sense, the use of a progressive form will seem incongruous.
- In your example 2, for instance, 'the building is standing' suggests that the building is capable of a change of state.
- It started standing there a moment ago, and will go to stand elsewhere at some time in the future.
- This is not our normal experience of buildings (except in East European cartoons).
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3 Answers
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Hello Komountain
The progressive form of a tense denotes that the event the verb describes
was, is, or will be 'continuing'.
If the subject of the verb is unable to 'continue' in a significant sense, the
use of a progressive form will seem incongruous.
In your example 2, for instance, 'the building is standing' suggests that the building
is capable o
The progressive form of a tense denotes that the event the verb describes
was, is, or will be 'continuing'.
If the subject of the verb is unable to 'continue' in a significant sense, the
use of a progressive form will seem incongruous.
In your example 2, for instance, 'the building is standing' suggests that the building
is capable o
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Many thanks, MrP.
So, whether animate or inanimate is not necessarily a clear divide.
Rather, whether changeable or non-changeable is a deciding factor.
So, whether animate or inanimate is not necessarily a clear divide.
Rather, whether changeable or non-changeable is a deciding factor.
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Changeability may relate to context, too:
'The building is still standing' - after an earthquake. There was a possibility
of a change of state.
MrP
'The building is still standing' - after an earthquake. There was a possibility
of a change of state.
MrP
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