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Mr. Tom Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary
The victim's eyes were popped out.
Hi
Which of these sentences is most natural?
The victim's eyes were popped out.
The victim's eyes had popped out.
Also, I would like to know if we can use "pop out" as a "transitive verb"? For instance:
The killer popped out the victim's eyes.
If no, then what is the suitable word for that?
Thanks,
Tom
Which of these sentences is most natural?
The victim's eyes were popped out.
The victim's eyes had popped out.
Also, I would like to know if we can use "pop out" as a "transitive verb"? For instance:
The killer popped out the victim's eyes.
If no, then what is the suitable word for that?
Thanks,
Tom
Top answer
Yes, "to pop out" can be transitive. This means that "were popped out" can be taken as "to be" plus past participle as adjective, OR passive voice (appologies to CB). This makes your first example more dramatic than your second.
- Yes, "to pop out" can be transitive.
- This means that "were popped out" can be taken as "to be" plus past participle as adjective, OR passive voice (appologies to CB).
- This makes your first example more dramatic than your second.
- The second can only be active voice, making the eyes themselves the actors, and eliminating the possibility that the killer had deliberately done it - which the first example allows.
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3 Answers
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Yes, "to pop out" can be transitive. This means that "were popped out" can be taken as "to be" plus past participle as adjective, OR passive voice (appologies to CB).
This makes your first example more dramatic than your second.
The second can only be active voice, making the eyes themselves the actors, and eliminating the possibility that the killer had deliberately done it - whic
This makes your first example more dramatic than your second.
The second can only be active voice, making the eyes themselves the actors, and eliminating the possibility that the killer had deliberately done it - whic
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Hi,
His eyes had popped out. This suggests to me only that they were bulging out a lot. That's why we say 'His eyes popped' to mean 'He showed surprise'.
The killer popped out the victim's eyes. This frorm does suggest 'removed', but 'pop out' sounds like something minor and unimportant, eg He popped the peas out of the pod. It doesn't sound like a violen
His eyes had popped out. This suggests to me only that they were bulging out a lot. That's why we say 'His eyes popped' to mean 'He showed surprise'.
The killer popped out the victim's eyes. This frorm does suggest 'removed', but 'pop out' sounds like something minor and unimportant, eg He popped the peas out of the pod. It doesn't sound like a violen
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Hi, Clive,
I'd express the first sense you describe as, "His eyes were popping out." This suggests that they may return to their natural condition.
I think that once they have popped out (of their sockets), it's a bit of a project to put them back.
Such things do happen! (I don't mean to imply that it's common. But we're talking about a murder here. )
Best wishes
I'd express the first sense you describe as, "His eyes were popping out." This suggests that they may return to their natural condition.
I think that once they have popped out (of their sockets), it's a bit of a project to put them back.
Such things do happen! (I don't mean to imply that it's common. But we're talking about a murder here. )
Best wishes
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