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Felix
I want to know the grammar clear. would you mind helping me out of here?
Pappy Richards stood enchanted, the defiance in his eyes giving way to a look of wonder.
My question is why there is no verb in second sentence and why the adjective "enchanted" can be used as a adverb. I looked it up in the dictionary that the word "enchanted" don't possess the property of adverb.
Feb 14, 2014 7:07 PM
Answers · 9
2
Before "enchanted" was an adjective, it was a verb: to enchant. "Enchanted" is actually a participle, which means it can function as other things... including as an adjective.
I don't see any problem with it being an adverb here.
February 14, 2014
1
This won't be the best grammar explanation ever, but here's my try:
This is just one sentence, not two; the second part is a dependent clause where the new subject (the defiance) and verb (giving way) depend upon the first part to make sense. This is a common thing for me to do when writing is have a statement, then elaborate with another clause using the -ing form of a verb. You may see something like this:
"I ran out the door, grabbing my keys on the way." Hopefully this makes more sense knowing that the second part isn't missing a verb.
As for the use of enchanted, the way I'm reading it, it's actually functioning as an adjective, just in a way you wouldn't normally see it. Consider replacing it with other adjectives:
"I stood there happy." "I stood there baffled." Enchanted isn't modifying the verb but rather the subject. At least, I think so. A second opinion would be helpful.
February 14, 2014
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Felix
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), Chinese (Other), English, Russian
Learning Language
English, Russian
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