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rhinocharge64
Joined: 20 Sep 2006
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 Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 9:01 pm Post subject: Grammar question |
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Hi all,
I was wondering if anybody could offer me an explanation with the following example.
The swimwear line is selling well. (correct)
The swimwear line is sold well.
The last sentence is incorrect but why?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Regards The Charge |
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HighTreason
Joined: 15 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 9:06 pm Post subject: Re: Grammar question |
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| rhinocharge64 wrote: |
The swimwear line is selling well. (correct)
The swimwear line is sold well.
The last sentence is incorrect but why?
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"Sold" is past tense so your verb doesn't agree. It should be "The swimwear line has sold well" to be correct.
The fact is though is that the second sentence is not so much incorrect as have a different meaning. "The swimwear line is sold well" really means "People sell the swimwear line well" or "People are very good at selling the swimwear line."
Last edited by HighTreason on Mon Jun 25, 2007 9:13 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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rhinocharge64
Joined: 20 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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| First of all I accidentally posted in the wrong forum. To the last poster that was my belief, but there seems to be some confusion within the department. Cheers for the point. |
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kat2
Joined: 25 Oct 2005
Location: Busan, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 9:11 pm Post subject: |
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There is no verb tense that involves a present tense noun (is) and the past participle (sold).
You have to use present perfect "has +past particple."
Let me guess, a korean is trying to teach you how to speak your native tongue. How unusual.  |
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rhinocharge64
Joined: 20 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 9:15 pm Post subject: |
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To the last poster correct. P.H.D. nonetheless so I feel a little awkward when giving advice. I thought I was losing the plot.
Cheers for the confrimation |
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rhinocharge64
Joined: 20 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 9:29 pm Post subject: |
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So, "The book is sold out". or the "The book has sold out". Still debating.
Regards |
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normalcyispasse
Joined: 27 Oct 2006
Location: Yeosu until the end of February WOOOOOOOO
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| Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 9:29 pm Post subject: Re: Grammar question |
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| rhinocharge64 wrote: |
Hi all,
The swimwear line is sold well.
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That's incorrect unless you're stating that the manner in which the swimwear is sold (ongoing) is good. For example, a nice display case and professional attendants might lead one to conclude that the swimwear is sold well. |
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denverdeath
Joined: 21 May 2005
Location: Boo-sahn
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| Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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| rhinocharge64 wrote: |
So, "The book is sold out". or the "The book has sold out". Still debating.
Regards |
The book is sold out: Sold out = adj.
The book has sold out: Sold out = v.
Both are grammatically correct.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/passive.htm
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| The passive voice is also useful when describing, say, a mechanical process in which the details of process are much more important than anyone's taking responsibility for the action: "The first coat of primer paint is applied immediately after the acid rinse." |
...but shouldn't be used in your first example above(your OP question). |
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