On 2010-09-06, at 2:17 PM, Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar wrote: > I just read that "tomatoes are abundant in antioxidants." Curiously we could also say that "antioxidants are abundant in tomatoes" and describe the same factual condition. > > There are some "symmetric" predicates (such as "be married to") that allow a switch of subject and object: If X is married to Y, then Y is married to X. But in these the predicate retains the same meaning. With "be abundant in," the symmetry relies on different synonyms: [be abundant in = contain many] vs. [be abundant in = widely populate]. I wonder if there are any other predicates that allow a subject/object reversal and retain meaning courtesy of a synonym shift. "Comprise" comes to mind. From the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 1 (also be comprised of) comprise something to have somebody/something as parts or members SYNONYM consist of The collection comprises 327 paintings. The committee is comprised of representatives from both the public and private sectors. 2 comprise something to be the parts or members that form something SYNONYM make something up Older people comprise a large proportion of those living in poverty. Best, Brett ----------------------- Brett Reynolds English Language Centre Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning Toronto, Ontario, Canada [log in to unmask] 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/