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Hans51 Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Usage of careful
I have learned that adjectives such as afraid, sure, careful, etc function as transitive verbs. For example,
I am afraid of speaking English (I am afraid that I should speak English), I am not sure of it, Be careful what you say, etc.
And I agree with this, but when to infinitives follow the adjectives, should I interpret it the same way as the above or it functions as an adverb and implies reasons. For example,
I am afraid to live alone, I am sure to help you, Be careful not to fall down.
I think that afraid and sure are interpreted more naturally as transitives but the problem is "careful" because I feel like "not to fall down" is interpreted the same way as I am here to talk with you, in other words, as a purpose.
Or should I consider the to infinitives to be objects and the adjectives function as transitive verbs with the objects?
I hope to make my point clear and hear from you again. Thank you so much.
I am afraid of speaking English (I am afraid that I should speak English), I am not sure of it, Be careful what you say, etc.
And I agree with this, but when to infinitives follow the adjectives, should I interpret it the same way as the above or it functions as an adverb and implies reasons. For example,
I am afraid to live alone, I am sure to help you, Be careful not to fall down.
I think that afraid and sure are interpreted more naturally as transitives but the problem is "careful" because I feel like "not to fall down" is interpreted the same way as I am here to talk with you, in other words, as a purpose.
Or should I consider the to infinitives to be objects and the adjectives function as transitive verbs with the objects?
I hope to make my point clear and hear from you again. Thank you so much.
Top answer
Hans51 I have learned that adjectives such as afraid, sure, careful, etc function as transitive verbs. You should unlearn this. None of those adjectives can be verbs.
- Hans51 I have learned that adjectives such as afraid, sure, careful, etc function as transitive verbs.
- You should unlearn this.
- None of those adjectives can be verbs.
- In your examples, the phrases that follow the adjectives can be viewed as "adjective complements", but not objects.
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8 Answers
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Hans51I have learned that adjectives such as afraid, sure, careful, etc function as transitive verbs.You should unlearn this. None of those adjectives can be verbs. In your examples, the phrases that follow the adjectives can be viewed as "adjective complements", but not objects.
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Thank you so much and then how do we interpret "Be careful not to fall down"?
1) Be careful WHAT? Here, not to fall down is the WHAT?
2) Be careful WHY? Here, not to fall down is the WHY?
I know this question is really strange but I hope you can understand my point.
1) Be careful WHAT? Here, not to fall down is the WHAT?
2) Be careful WHY? Here, not to fall down is the WHY?
I know this question is really strange but I hope you can understand my point.
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Hans51how do we interpret "Be careful not to fall down"?Use care to avoid falling down. Try not to fall down. Walk carefully or with caution.
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Hans51Thank you so much and then how do we interpret "Be careful not to fall down"?1) Be careful WHAT? Here, not to fall down is the WHAT?That seems more likely to me:
Be careful not to fall down
Be careful to close the door
Be careful not to close the door
But I agree that 'be careful' is not considered a transi
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Thank you so much and I have learned a new thing now and then the 'to infinitive' not to fall down modifies the 'adjective' careful as an adverb and it is an adjective complement, right? Then, now I am confused that adverbs can be also complements? Or it all depends on what we call grammar terms, so it does not matter what it is called? Anyhow according to your reply, adverbs can be complem
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