State and Action

pdh0224 · Post by **pdh0224** » Thu Nov 25, 2004 4:26 am

Dear teacher,

when there is "he made his son study hard",we can know the sentence is intended to express an action of him. If I want to express an action by using a phrase structure(noun+modifier), how can I do it? Does it work if I just make a verbal phrase a modifer for a subject? That is, Could the characteristic of action of a sentence be represented by a structure "noun+modifier"? As I know, a structure "noun+modifier"(ex he making his son study hard) just show a state not a action. What do you think?

All the best,

Alan · Post by **Alan** » Thu Nov 25, 2004 11:31 am

No instances of what you describe spring to mind. What prompts you to ask this question? Does it serve any useful purpose??

pdh0224 · Post by **pdh0224** » Thu Nov 25, 2004 11:55 am

Do you mean you don't understand my question?

Alan · Post by **Alan** » Fri Nov 26, 2004 1:55 am

No, I mean that I fail to see its point.

This is a website dedicated to giving practical advice to English learners related to real-life English problems, normally concerning the correctness or otherwise of specific sentences. Priority must therefore be given to such questions over ones that appear to represent little more than theoretical speculation (however interesting or thought-provoking).

Thus, if you can show me a good, practical reason for asking the question, I'll be happy to give it my consideration!