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Passive Voice or Adjectibal Participle?
Posted: 31 May 2009 06:41 PM   [ Ignore ]
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They were surprised at the news Iwas pleased with the gift.

We are satisfied with the result.

The doctor is known to everybody.

Are above sentences passive voice or be + adjectival (past participle working as adjective)?

How can I know whether past participle is used in passive voice or as adjective?

Thank you.

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Posted: 31 May 2009 07:51 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 1 ]
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All are participles as adjectives.

The formation is the same for passive voice and past participles used as adjectives, but passive voice has (or suggests) an actor and a recipient of the action.

The car was destroyed in the collision [probably by another car].
The jar was shattered by the fall from the counter top [the fall shattered te jar].

In some sentences, it’s hard to tell.

John was embarrassed. Was is a state of embarrassment or did someone embarrass him?

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Ars longa, vita brevis

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