Mixed

English grammar and usage issues

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educationglobal
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Posts: 2
Joined: 26 Sep 2005, 13:28

Mixed

Unread post by educationglobal »

Hello folks,

A few things, I've been wondering about:

1. What colour are your eyes vs. what is the colour of your eyes?
Which is correct? Why?

2. What tense is used in the following sentences?
I am tempted to give an examination.
I am scared to do the test.
She is disgusted with his attitude.
I am finished
I finished.

In your answer, please focus on the verb to be + words which end with ed.

3. What's the rule about punctuating interrogative sentences which express exclamation?

For example: excitedly greeting a friend you´ve not seen a long time -

How are you? (!)
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schetin
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Joined: 13 Sep 2005, 17:50

Unread post by schetin »

Hi educationglobal,

1. Both are correct. The only difference is that in the first instance the answer will be the color of eyes and in the second - the eyes color (lol), which is the same.
educationglobal wrote:2. What tense is used in the following sentences?
I am tempted to give an examination.
I am scared to do the test.
She is disgusted with his attitude.
I am finished
I finished.
I'd say all but "I finished" (which is Past Tense) are Present Tense. I think your question is whether the first four are Passive Voice or not. I'd consider the complementary part - tempted, scared, finished - as verbal adjectives: they have Past Participle forms but these Participles are used adjectively, because there's no agent meant.
"She is disgusted with his attitude" is Present Indefinite Passive: His attitude disgusted her.
"I finished" is Past Indefinite Active.

3. I wouldn't consider it as a question. Just exclamation.

Regards,

Slava
educationglobal
Member
Posts: 2
Joined: 26 Sep 2005, 13:28

Thanks.

Unread post by educationglobal »

Thanks much.
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