homeward

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

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azz
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homeward

Post by azz »

a. They are going homeward.
b. They are homeward going.
c. They are homeward-going.


I think (a) is unremarkable and natural. How about the other two?
in (c) 'homeward-going' would be an adjective.
(b) sounds archaic to me, but can't one have an adverb in that position?

Many thanks
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Alan
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Re: homeward

Post by Alan »

A: Unnatural. We would say 'travelling homeward' rather than 'going...'.
B: unacceptable (adverbial position rules are highly complicated and sometimes need to be dealt with on a word-word-word basis.)
C: highly unnatural without a NP following the participle.
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