| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
river1974
Joined: 20 May 2003
Posts: 525
Location: Taiwan
|
 Posted: Sun May 08, 2005 6:15 pm Post subject: prove |
 |
|
Dear teachers:
(a)The rumor proved true.
(b)He proved a competent manager.
(c)My advice proved to be wrong.
Could I change "proved" in the above from the past into the present tense?
Thanks. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
helen1
Joined: 24 Nov 2004
Posts: 115
|
| Posted: Mon May 09, 2005 12:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hi River
The short answer is no -
| Quote: |
| (a)The rumor proved true. |
If you change (a) The rumour (British spelling) proves true - you either need to change it to conditional 'If the rumour proves true' or to keep the same meaning you need to add 'to be' -
'The rumour proves to be true'
| Quote: |
| (b)He proved a competent manager. |
Same as for (a) either conditional 'IF' or add to be before the noun phrase 'a competent manager'
| Quote: |
| (c)My advice proved to be wrong. |
Here it is possible to change to present tense 'My advice proves to be wrong' - NOTE you already have 'to be' which is why it is possible to change to present tense. -
REASON:
Prove is not a copula verb (like be, become, feel).
'to be' is needed for the subject complement - although it is not written, it is still in sentences (a) and (b).
If this is too technical or doesn't make sense, please let me know. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
river1974
Joined: 20 May 2003
Posts: 525
Location: Taiwan
|
| Posted: Mon May 09, 2005 5:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Thank you helen. You've made a clear explanation. I think I could get your point. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
