Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[sunmaggie]

Is "alive" an adjective?
However, why do we use "it is a live tree," instead of "it is an alive tree?"
Thanks a lot.

[Jizzo T. Clown]

I believe it's because "alive" is an adjective which follows a linking verb "The boy is trying to stay alive."

"Live" is usually used as an adjective in front of the noun it's modifying: "I love live plants!"

"Alive" is never placed in front of the noun it's modifying. "My aunt isn't alive anymore."

Sometimes "live" can mean "in front of an audience:" "Britney Spears hasn't performed live since the birth of her baby."

So instead of saying "It's an alive tree," you'd say:

"The tree is alive,"

which is a little strange, so we say "It's a live tree."