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Moon7296 Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
verb + adjective (Act serious!)
1. Stop simpering and act serious!
Note that the adjective "serious" modifies the verb "act."
Usually, verbs are modified by adverbs, aren't they?
Exceptionally, some verb are modified by adjectives, aren't they?
Those verb categories are like this.
- seem, sound, look,feel,sound,taste,smell
- prove, remain, appear,seem
Perhaps, I can say first category belongs to verbs of perception, and second stative verbs.
"Act" in #1 is an action verb. I was wondering why an adjective modifies it, and not an adverb. Can either an adjective and adverb modifiy it but the meaning differs?
Note that the adjective "serious" modifies the verb "act."
Usually, verbs are modified by adverbs, aren't they?
Exceptionally, some verb are modified by adjectives, aren't they?
Those verb categories are like this.
- seem, sound, look,feel,sound,taste,smell
- prove, remain, appear,seem
Perhaps, I can say first category belongs to verbs of perception, and second stative verbs.
"Act" in #1 is an action verb. I was wondering why an adjective modifies it, and not an adverb. Can either an adjective and adverb modifiy it but the meaning differs?
Top answer
moon7296 "Act" in #1 is an action verb. I was wondering why an adjective modifies it, and not an adverb. Can either an adjective and adverb modifiy it but the meaning differs?
- moon7296 "Act" in #1 is an action verb.
- I was wondering why an adjective modifies it, and not an adverb.
- Can either an adjective and adverb modifiy it but the meaning differs?
- Serious is used here as an adverb - short for the adverb clause: like you are serious.
- The verb "act" frequently is used this way: You've got to act cool, even though you are nervous.
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4 Answers
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moon7296"Act" in #1 is an action verb. I was wondering why an adjective modifies it, and not an adverb. Can either an adjective and adverb modifiy it but the meaning differs?Serious is used here as an adverb - short for the adverb clause: like you are serious.
The verb "act" frequently is used this way:
You've got to act cool,
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moon7296Note that the adjective "serious" modifies the verb "act.""act" is like "be" in this usage. (Be serious!) It's essentially a linking verb in this context.
I would not use the word "modify" to describe the relationship between 'act' (or 'be') and 'serious'. It's more like the predicate of "you", the person being ordered to act (be) se
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AlpheccaStarsSerious is used here as an adverb - short for the adverb clause: like you are serious.Hi,
I'm sorry but could you explain more about what you said above?
I can't find out what it means.
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There are two explanations.
1. CJ explained that "act" is not an action verb, but a "state-of-being" verb, so "serious" is a subject complement. (adjective) eg. "be serious."
2. I explained that "act" is an action verb, but "serious" was used as an adverb of manner, an abbreviated way of saying this:
Act (like you are) serious.
Act (as if you were) serious.
Actio
1. CJ explained that "act" is not an action verb, but a "state-of-being" verb, so "serious" is a subject complement. (adjective) eg. "be serious."
2. I explained that "act" is an action verb, but "serious" was used as an adverb of manner, an abbreviated way of saying this:
Act (like you are) serious.
Act (as if you were) serious.
Actio
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