Ungrammatical sentence
How can I explain in a linguistic way that the sentence "John was died" is ungrammatical?
Top answer
Consider these sentences John was tired. John was late. John's parents are happy.
- Consider these sentences John was tired.
- John was late.
- John's parents are happy.
- Here, tired, late and happy are complements and not verbs.
- In passive constructions, main verbs are preceded by be verb forms.
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Consider these sentences
John was tired.
John was late.
John's parents are happy.
Here, tired, late and happy are complements and not verbs.
In passive constructions, main verbs are preceded by be verb forms.
Examples
John was taken to hospital.
John and his brother were taught English by Ms
0purple aqua 580How can I explain in a linguistic way that the sentence "John was died" is ungrammatical?
In terms of syntax, the sentence seems to follow the rules of grammar. There are two options.
1. Subject -verb - complement.
Only certain past participles qualify as (subject) complements, in particular, certain stative verbs.
John was
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