Dear List,

How would you explain the verbs of the following sentences? Two are progressive, but the other two have the form of a passive but not the function of a passive. Nobody focused them or seated them. Should the past participles be described as the main verb or as a participle acting as an adjective? If they are main verbs, how should I explain this construction to children who know about passives?


They are focused on success.
They are focusing on success.

They are seated with their friends.
They are sitting with their friends.


Thanks,

Scott Woods

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