I would add to Bruce's description that there is implicit discourse value in
using the perfect aspect. Amazon says "Your order has shipped" instead of
"Your order shipped" because the perfect aspect version conveys a sense of
completion and finality: we've done our part, and now it's over.
I'm not trying to ruffle any feathers by bringing up the perfect aspect
again. I promise! I do believe that it could be an important aspect of the
reasoning behind such marketing language.
John Alexander
On Tue, May 19, 2009 at 12:11 PM, Bruce Despain
<[log in to unmask]>wrote:
> In my opinion the expression is jargon. The so called medio-passive, I
> suspect, is probably an earmark of business language. Sometimes it is a
> handy way to avoid the "forbidden" passive voice. It reminds me of the
> intransitive verb "grow" being used as a transitive. I think Janet's dean
> has fallen into the noose of such a jargon as is found in business reports
> and grant requests. Other such expression of this ilk are found in most
> official and academic papers. These jargons all have their own set of
> characteristics, but have much in common (obfuscation). I think the
> international businesses, such as Amazon need to take better care to be
> clear to a diverse audience: "your order has been sent." Do they teach a
> course in college called "Business English"?
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:
> [log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Marie-Pierre Jouannaud
> Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 10:43 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: transitive/intransitive verbs
>
> Dear ATEGers,
>
> When I order books from amazon.com or amazon.co.uk, I sometimes receive
> messages saying:
>
> your order has shipped/has dispatched
>
> Is this a normal, common use of these verbs (I would expect them to be
> in the passive voice instead)?
> Is it a new development?
>
> Thanks,
> Marie
> France
>
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