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Post by hiddenjewel on Dec 11, 2008 17:37:10 GMT -5
I am having trouble understanding how "substance" and "to marry" are direct objects in this sentence. It makes sense if "devouring" and "pretending" are acting as verbs but the TM says that "devouring" and "pretending" are adjectival verbals modifying 'you".
"You come here every day, devouring my substance, and pretending that you wish to marry me."
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Post by Carolyn on Dec 11, 2008 22:33:11 GMT -5
Your understanding is right, and the Instructor's Guide is right as well. Something needs to be a transitive verb to have a direct object, and 'devouring' and 'pretending' are acting as adjectives. BUT they are verbals ... a group of words formed from verbs and partaking of the properties of verbs and nouns (if they are gerunds) or of verbs and adjectives (if they're participles). Infinitives are another kind of verbal, and they can do all sorts of things. So, 'pretending' is both modifying 'you' as an adjective, and it can have a direct object. The same goes for 'devouring'. Does that help?  Carolyn |
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Post by hiddenjewel on Dec 11, 2008 22:41:02 GMT -5
Yes, that helps. I did not realize that verbals could have direct objects even though they are acting as other parts of speech.
Thanks.
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Carolyn