This tissue roll could be used to wipe the dishes dry

Question

Question 1:Are both of the sentences correct? Is "dry" used as an adverb in the given sentences?1: This tissue roll could be used to wipe dishes dry.2: This tissue roll could be used to wipe wet dishes dry.Question 2:Which of the following sentences is correct? Can "the" be used with "both" to make it specific?1: Are both of the sentences correct?2: Are the both sentences correct?Please help me. Thank you.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

In my opinion, all your sentences are correct.

I read "wipe it dry" as "paint it red." - That is, these are adjectives. Others may disagree.

"Wipe it slowly." "Paint it carefully." - Adverbs.

Jackson6612 · Answer

Hi Avangi

Thanks for the reply. I'm on my mobile phone, so please excuse me if there is some problem with formatting of the text.

I understand your example sentence "wipe it slowly"; yes, "slowly" is an adverb here. As now I've confirmed there is no adverb "dry".

"wipe it dry" - In my view I see "dry" as modifying the phrase "wipe it". In this capacity "dry" is more of an adverb than an adjective. I hope you would understand the point.

Best wishes
Jack

Avangi · Answer

Jackson6612wipe the dishes dry

Of course in the imperative "Dry it," it's a verb.

Someone will probably come up with an elipsis explanation: "Wipe it [until it is] dry."

Sometimes we need other people to explain what we really mean when we say certain things.

But I agree that wiping something dry seems like a particular way of wiping it.

You can always cheat and call "to wipe dry" a phrasal verb.

There are probably many opinions on the web.

This tissue roll could be used to wipe the dishes dry

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