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Kunsan Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
"We went sightseeing London" Is this correct?
Hello
Could you give your opinion on the grammatical correctness of the sentence
We went sightseeing London.
In other words, can "sightseeing" be used transitively (having the object "London")? Or should we add a preposition, such as "around London" or "in London"?
Thank you for your help.
Could you give your opinion on the grammatical correctness of the sentence
We went sightseeing London.
In other words, can "sightseeing" be used transitively (having the object "London")? Or should we add a preposition, such as "around London" or "in London"?
Thank you for your help.
Top answer
No. " The word alone is only a noun or an adjective, and is not a verb. (not even a participle, like "to go fishing" - intransitive) "We went to see London" is about as close as you can get.
- No.
- " The word alone is only a noun or an adjective, and is not a verb.
- (not even a participle, like "to go fishing" - intransitive) "We went to see London" is about as close as you can get.
- Yes, you need the prepositions.
- " To go borrowing money To go checking my traps To go collecting donations
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4 Answers
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No. Unfortunately, "to go sightseeing" is a fixed expression, and is not used "transitively."
The word alone is only a noun or an adjective, and is not a verb.
(not even a participle, like "to go fishing" - intransitive)
"We went to see London" is about as close as you can get.
Yes, you need the prepositions.
I'm having a hard time coming up with transit
The word alone is only a noun or an adjective, and is not a verb.
(not even a participle, like "to go fishing" - intransitive)
"We went to see London" is about as close as you can get.
Yes, you need the prepositions.
I'm having a hard time coming up with transit
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Thank you very much for the answer. It really clarifies the usage of "to go sightseeing".
Yet I'd like to hear your/some thought/s on the idea that "sightseeing" is only a noun or adjective (thus, not a verb). According to most dictionaries, "to sightsee" is also a verb. Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary more precisely mentions that the verb is "only used in the progressive tenses".
Yet I'd like to hear your/some thought/s on the idea that "sightseeing" is only a noun or adjective (thus, not a verb). According to most dictionaries, "to sightsee" is also a verb. Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary more precisely mentions that the verb is "only used in the progressive tenses".
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Ouch! My dictionary is 1981 vintage. It's not listed. Sorry!
Yes, We were sightseeing is certainly acceptable, and certainly sounds like past progressive.
In fact, I suppose it is, since the verb is allowed.
In my previous ignorant state, I would have suggested that it's an example of "to be" plus past participle as adjective, similar to "We were tired," and
Yes, We were sightseeing is certainly acceptable, and certainly sounds like past progressive.
In fact, I suppose it is, since the verb is allowed.
In my previous ignorant state, I would have suggested that it's an example of "to be" plus past participle as adjective, similar to "We were tired," and
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Thanks for sheding your light on the progressive as well! Yes, "to sightsee" shows quite particular behaviour. And no, I can't come up with any other verb that is only used in the progressive. Food for thought, I would say. If anyone else can think of an example of such a verb, please share it here!
Btw: like the pun.
Btw: like the pun.
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