4 ms·
Honest question about grammar (not a native speaker): is enthused correct here? Other than the fact that enthuse is a verb that was made up from enthusiasm, sho
by carlob 12y ago
Honest question about grammar (not a native speaker): is enthused correct here? Other than the fact that enthuse is a verb that was made up from enthusiasm, shouldn't this be "Why people were enthusiastic about…", "Why people enthused about…" or "Why people were enthused by…"?
- omega_rythm 12y agoYes, it's correct, at least my dictionary says so.
- munificent 12y agoIt's correct. As an intransitive verb, the subject is the person feeling enthusiasm. "I'm enthused to be going to Disneyland!" As a transitive verb, the subject is the thing causing enthusiasm. "Disneyland enthuses me!" (This formation does tend to be less common.)
- carlob 12y agoDon't all verbs use have as the auxiliary in the present perfect tense? As such I am enthused would not be an intransitive verb, but either a nominal predicate or a passive verbal predicate. A correct intransitive form would be "I've enthused about going to Disneyland". In the first case enthused should be replaced by enthusiastic, which is the correct adjective, in the second case you would use by rather than about as a preposition for the agent. Correct?
- frandroid 12y agoYou'll just never find anyone using this verb in spoken English...