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Nazanin saryazdi Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
want?
The man wanting coffee is standing over there.
why is the verb "want" in this sentence in progressive? ( I know the relative clauses and the rules, just asking about action/state...)
why is the verb "want" in this sentence in progressive? ( I know the relative clauses and the rules, just asking about action/state...)
Top answer
This is just a way of avoiding the relative clause. Consider: the man wearing the green sweater; the woman sitting by the window; the student asking the question; the owl nesting in our barn.
- This is just a way of avoiding the relative clause.
- Consider: the man wearing the green sweater; the woman sitting by the window; the student asking the question; the owl nesting in our barn.
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4 Answers
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This is just a way of avoiding the relative clause. Consider: the man wearing the green sweater; the woman sitting by the window; the student asking the question; the owl nesting in our barn.
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Want as a finite transitive verb is normally used in non-progressive forms.
The -ing form of any verb used as a gerund or present participle is neither progressive nor non-progressive in itself.
The -ing form of any verb used as a gerund or present participle is neither progressive nor non-progressive in itself.
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The man wanting coffee might simply be a way to identify the customer who recently ordered coffee in a restaurant.
Perhaps it would better have been said as, "The man who ordered coffee..."
Wanting can also describe a homeless man. For example, "He has been left wanting."
Perhaps it would better have been said as, "The man who ordered coffee..."
Wanting can also describe a homeless man. For example, "He has been left wanting."
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