Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

nawee · Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Posts: 400

Hello,

Can anyone explain what the phrase "morally suspect" means? I came across in the construction "X is morally suspect."

Thank you,

Nawee

buddhaheart · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 9:55 pm Post subject:

Could you explain or clarify what is before and after the construction "X is morally suspect."

lotus · Joined: 25 Jan 2004 Posts: 862

Hi Nawee,

When someone is morally suspect, their character or morals is in question. We are not sure whether their morals or beliefs are in line with ours or society's. Usually, it means we that we think the person has little or no morals at all. We usually call such a person "morally bankrupt" (having no morals or scruples at all).

--lotus
_________________
War does not make one great --Yoda

buddhaheart · Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 9:17 pm Post subject: morally suspect

My question really is I see some grammar problem with the phrase "morally suspect." If �suspect� is a noun (which it is in this sentence), an adverb like �morally� could not be used to qualify or modify it. The adjective �moral� can. If �suspect� is a verb (which I don't believe it is in this case), then it has to be in the right inflection or form to be qualified by the adverb �morally�.

Yinglish · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 99

buddhaheart · Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:19 pm Post subject:

Indeed if �suspect" is used as an adjective in the sentence, the question makes sense.