Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[ShoHiro]

Hello teachers,

Are the following sentences acceptable or unacceptable?

(1) a. Their faces were pressed against the glass of the little windows terror-struck.
b. Their faces were pressed against the glass of the little windows, terror-struck.

(2) a. Their faces were pressed against the glass of the little windows stupefied.
b. Their faces were pressed against the glass of the little windows, stupefied.

(3) a. Their faces were pressed against the glass of the little windows stunned.
b. Their faces were pressed against the glass of the little windows, stunned.

(4) a. *Their faces were pressed against the glass of the little windows their mouths open.
b. Their faces were pressed against the glass of the little windows, their mouths oepn.

(5) a. *Their faces were pressed against the glass of the little windows their expressions frozen like fishfingers.
b. Their faces were pressed against the glass of the little windows, their expressions frozen like fishfingers.

(4a) and (5a) are, of course, ill-formed. But, how about (1)-(3), (4b) and (5b)? Are they acceptable?

Sincerely,
ShoHiro

[pugachevV]

I think you can use all the (b) versions of your sentences, except the last one, which is a bit of a stretch except possibly if you are trying for a humorous effect.

[ShoHiro]

Hello pugachevV,

Ｔｈａｎk you for answering my question! I understand.

Sincerely,
ShoHiro