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www0935
Joined: 14 Apr 2008
Posts: 173
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 Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 6:52 pm Post subject: question about "participle" and "relative cla |
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Hi, the following is my question.
Six dots. Six bumps. Six bumps in different patterns, like constellations, __________ out over the page.
(A) spreads (B) what are spread (C) spreading (D) that spread
The correct answer is (C),
but what's wrong with (D)? Should I change it into "which spread"?
or can I choose (A), and change it into "spread"?
Thanks for your help. |
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Bob S.
Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 1767
Location: So. Cal
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| Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 12:23 pm Post subject: Re: question about "participle" and "relative |
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| www0935 wrote: |
Six dots. Six bumps. Six bumps in different patterns, like constellations, __________ out over the page.
(A) spreads (B) what are spread (C) spreading (D) that spread
The correct answer is (C),
but what's wrong with (D)? Should I change it into "which spread"? |
What you are looking for is something that acts as an adjective modifying patterns. C is a present participle which can modify a noun. "which spread" does not work but you could say "which are spreading" to make it a dependent adjective clause.
| Quote: |
| or can I choose (A), and change it into "spread"? |
Yes, it then becomes a past participle functioning as an adjective to modify patterns. |
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www0935
Joined: 14 Apr 2008
Posts: 173
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| Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 7:54 pm Post subject: |
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[/quote]Six dots. Six bumps. Six bumps in different patterns, like constellations, __________ out over the page.
(A) spreads (B) what are spread (C) spreading (D) that spread[quote]
If I choose (A). and change it into "spread", is it possible for "spread" to be the verb of this sentence?
[/quote]"which spread" does not work but you could say "which are spreading" to make it a dependent adjective clause.[quote]
Why can't "which spread" be a "dependent adjective clause" here? (because I consider "spread" to be a verb) Why should this sentence use "present continuous" (which [b]are spreading[/b]) here?
Thanks again. |
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Bob S.
Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 1767
Location: So. Cal
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| Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 11:42 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| If I choose (A). and change it into "spread", is it possible for "spread" to be the verb of this sentence? |
Ah, because it is a trick question. The sentence has no verb. It is just a descriptive statement.
When I read about six dots or bumps on a page, I assume they are talking about Braille writing. But those dots don't move. They are stuck on the paper. So in this case, spread cannot be an active verb but rather a description of how the dots appear. It needs to be an adjective or part of a dependent adjective clause (present participle spreading or past participle spread depending on the time tense of the rest of the paragraph).
| Quote: |
| Why can't "which spread" be a "dependent adjective clause" here? (because I consider "spread" to be a verb) Why should this sentence use "present continuous" (which are spreading) here? |
Grammatically it would be fine if we were talking about ants or beads that can move across the paper. But like the answer above, the verb doesn't match the subject, so it sounds strange. Braille bumps don't move, so they cannot spread on their own, but they can be spread (by the printer who makes them), if that makes any sense.
_________________
"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper |
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rice07
Joined: 26 Oct 2007
Posts: 385
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 5:01 am Post subject: |
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Sorry for interrupting!
Hi Bob S.
After finishing reading your elaboration to that, I'd like to say- WAY TO GO! EXTREMELY CONVINCING ! |
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