Scott-

 

I can see the “logic” of calling it a passive with “got” as the modal, but I’d probably let the student know that the construction was “informal” and make sure they know how to construct a passive using “formal” methods (ie “was run over”).  Does that make sense?  I am posting while jet-lagged, here…

 

-patty

 

 

List, My previous message on this topic delivered itself before I had finished it.  Here is the complete message.   Recently, a student wrote "he got run over."  This seems to be a common way of expressing the passive.   Would you characterize this as a passive?  Would you analyze "run" as the verb of the sentence and "got" as a modal operating like "was" in a normally constructed (was run over) passive?  Scott Woods

To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list"

Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/