Correct or not: noun and adjective being predicative together
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I'm thinking about such a sentence:
He is a lawyer, arrogant and smart.
or
He is an idiot, arrogant and short-sighted.
Please note that here I just want to list the noun and the adjectives altogether, no casual relation between the noun and the adjectives (like he is arrogant and smart because he is a layer).
Though I think I've seen similar ones before, I'm not 100% sure whether it's correct or not.
So put it formally, is it grammatically correct to put nouns and adjectives together as a predicate?
nouns adjectives syntax coordination predicative-complement
asked Jul 15 '18 at 8:24
W.W.W.W.
235
add a comment |
I'm thinking about such a sentence:
He is a lawyer, arrogant and smart.
or
He is an idiot, arrogant and short-sighted.
Please note that here I just want to list the noun and the adjectives altogether, no casual relation between the noun and the adjectives (like he is arrogant and smart because he is a layer).
Though I think I've seen similar ones before, I'm not 100% sure whether it's correct or not.
So put it formally, is it grammatically correct to put nouns and adjectives together as a predicate?
nouns adjectives syntax coordination predicative-complement
asked Jul 15 '18 at 8:24
W.W.W.W.
235
1
Is he arrogant and smart because he's a lawyer, or is he arrogant and smart in addition to being a lawyer?
– Kenneth Odle
Jul 15 '18 at 16:38
Ah, I think I want to convey the latter via this sentence.
– W.W.
Jul 15 '18 at 17:01
In that case, you probably want to recast the sentence for clarity. Either "He is arrogant and smart, in addition to be a lawyer" or "He is a lawyer as well as arrogant and smart."
– Kenneth Odle
Jul 16 '18 at 21:46
Yep, this definitely reads like @KennethOdle 's first analysis; as if it is defining "lawyer". It needs rewriting. Even "He is arrogant, smart, and a lawyer" works better.
– user323578
Apr 26 at 7:42
add a comment |
I'm thinking about such a sentence:
He is a lawyer, arrogant and smart.
or
He is an idiot, arrogant and short-sighted.
Please note that here I just want to list the noun and the adjectives altogether, no casual relation between the noun and the adjectives (like he is arrogant and smart because he is a layer).
Though I think I've seen similar ones before, I'm not 100% sure whether it's correct or not.
So put it formally, is it grammatically correct to put nouns and adjectives together as a predicate?
nouns adjectives syntax coordination predicative-complement
asked Jul 15 '18 at 8:24
W.W.W.W.
235
I'm thinking about such a sentence:
He is a lawyer, arrogant and smart.
or
He is an idiot, arrogant and short-sighted.
Please note that here I just want to list the noun and the adjectives altogether, no casual relation between the noun and the adjectives (like he is arrogant and smart because he is a layer).
Though I think I've seen similar ones before, I'm not 100% sure whether it's correct or not.
So put it formally, is it grammatically correct to put nouns and adjectives together as a predicate?
nouns adjectives syntax coordination predicative-complement
nouns adjectives syntax coordination predicative-complement
asked Jul 15 '18 at 8:24
W.W.W.W.
235
asked Jul 15 '18 at 8:24
W.W.W.W.
235
edited Jul 15 '18 at 17:09
W.W.
asked Jul 15 '18 at 8:24
W.W.W.W.
235
asked Jul 15 '18 at 8:24
W.W.W.W.
235
asked Jul 15 '18 at 8:24
W.W.W.W.
235
235
1
Is he arrogant and smart because he's a lawyer, or is he arrogant and smart in addition to being a lawyer?
– Kenneth Odle
Jul 15 '18 at 16:38
Ah, I think I want to convey the latter via this sentence.
– W.W.
Jul 15 '18 at 17:01
In that case, you probably want to recast the sentence for clarity. Either "He is arrogant and smart, in addition to be a lawyer" or "He is a lawyer as well as arrogant and smart."
– Kenneth Odle
Jul 16 '18 at 21:46
Yep, this definitely reads like @KennethOdle 's first analysis; as if it is defining "lawyer". It needs rewriting. Even "He is arrogant, smart, and a lawyer" works better.
– user323578
Apr 26 at 7:42
add a comment |
1
Is he arrogant and smart because he's a lawyer, or is he arrogant and smart in addition to being a lawyer?
– Kenneth Odle
Jul 15 '18 at 16:38
Ah, I think I want to convey the latter via this sentence.
– W.W.
Jul 15 '18 at 17:01
In that case, you probably want to recast the sentence for clarity. Either "He is arrogant and smart, in addition to be a lawyer" or "He is a lawyer as well as arrogant and smart."
– Kenneth Odle
Jul 16 '18 at 21:46
Yep, this definitely reads like @KennethOdle 's first analysis; as if it is defining "lawyer". It needs rewriting. Even "He is arrogant, smart, and a lawyer" works better.
– user323578
Apr 26 at 7:42
1
1
Is he arrogant and smart because he's a lawyer, or is he arrogant and smart in addition to being a lawyer?
– Kenneth Odle
Jul 15 '18 at 16:38
Is he arrogant and smart because he's a lawyer, or is he arrogant and smart in addition to being a lawyer?
– Kenneth Odle
Jul 15 '18 at 16:38
Ah, I think I want to convey the latter via this sentence.
– W.W.
Jul 15 '18 at 17:01
Ah, I think I want to convey the latter via this sentence.
– W.W.
Jul 15 '18 at 17:01
In that case, you probably want to recast the sentence for clarity. Either "He is arrogant and smart, in addition to be a lawyer" or "He is a lawyer as well as arrogant and smart."
– Kenneth Odle
Jul 16 '18 at 21:46
In that case, you probably want to recast the sentence for clarity. Either "He is arrogant and smart, in addition to be a lawyer" or "He is a lawyer as well as arrogant and smart."
– Kenneth Odle
Jul 16 '18 at 21:46
Yep, this definitely reads like @KennethOdle 's first analysis; as if it is defining "lawyer". It needs rewriting. Even "He is arrogant, smart, and a lawyer" works better.
– user323578
Apr 26 at 7:42
Yep, this definitely reads like @KennethOdle 's first analysis; as if it is defining "lawyer". It needs rewriting. Even "He is arrogant, smart, and a lawyer" works better.
– user323578
Apr 26 at 7:42
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
According to Dictionary.com
A single sentence can contain both predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives. For example, “She’s an engineer and is happy.” Here, the predicate nominative is engineer and the predicate adjective is happy.
She's happy in addition to being an engineer. If your sentence were "He is a lawyer and is smart," it would parallel the example. "He is a lawyer and is arrogant and smart." adds another adjective, but still parallels the example, and would convey what you want to convey.
But in your sentence you don't repeat the linking verb, so that arrogant and smart read as if in apposition to lawyer (I don't think adjectives can stand alone in apposition, but they read that way),and so further defining lawyer. Like "He is a lawyer, a shark." Which isn't what you want to convey.
Repeating the linking verb would make your meaning clear.
http://www.dictionary.com/e/predicate-nominative-vs-predicate-adjectives
edited Jul 29 '18 at 16:03
tchrist♦
110k30298480
answered Jul 15 '18 at 20:46
Zan700Zan700
2,441619
Okay, so you mean both (with and without the linking verb) are grammatically correct, and it's the verb that makes the difference about the real meaning?
– W.W.
Jul 16 '18 at 11:47
add a comment |
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1 Answer
1
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
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active
oldest
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active
oldest
votes
According to Dictionary.com
A single sentence can contain both predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives. For example, “She’s an engineer and is happy.” Here, the predicate nominative is engineer and the predicate adjective is happy.
She's happy in addition to being an engineer. If your sentence were "He is a lawyer and is smart," it would parallel the example. "He is a lawyer and is arrogant and smart." adds another adjective, but still parallels the example, and would convey what you want to convey.
But in your sentence you don't repeat the linking verb, so that arrogant and smart read as if in apposition to lawyer (I don't think adjectives can stand alone in apposition, but they read that way),and so further defining lawyer. Like "He is a lawyer, a shark." Which isn't what you want to convey.
Repeating the linking verb would make your meaning clear.
http://www.dictionary.com/e/predicate-nominative-vs-predicate-adjectives
edited Jul 29 '18 at 16:03
tchrist♦
110k30298480
answered Jul 15 '18 at 20:46
Zan700Zan700
2,441619
Okay, so you mean both (with and without the linking verb) are grammatically correct, and it's the verb that makes the difference about the real meaning?
– W.W.
Jul 16 '18 at 11:47
add a comment |
According to Dictionary.com
A single sentence can contain both predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives. For example, “She’s an engineer and is happy.” Here, the predicate nominative is engineer and the predicate adjective is happy.
She's happy in addition to being an engineer. If your sentence were "He is a lawyer and is smart," it would parallel the example. "He is a lawyer and is arrogant and smart." adds another adjective, but still parallels the example, and would convey what you want to convey.
But in your sentence you don't repeat the linking verb, so that arrogant and smart read as if in apposition to lawyer (I don't think adjectives can stand alone in apposition, but they read that way),and so further defining lawyer. Like "He is a lawyer, a shark." Which isn't what you want to convey.
Repeating the linking verb would make your meaning clear.
http://www.dictionary.com/e/predicate-nominative-vs-predicate-adjectives
edited Jul 29 '18 at 16:03
tchrist♦
110k30298480
answered Jul 15 '18 at 20:46
Zan700Zan700
2,441619
Okay, so you mean both (with and without the linking verb) are grammatically correct, and it's the verb that makes the difference about the real meaning?
– W.W.
Jul 16 '18 at 11:47
add a comment |
According to Dictionary.com
A single sentence can contain both predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives. For example, “She’s an engineer and is happy.” Here, the predicate nominative is engineer and the predicate adjective is happy.
She's happy in addition to being an engineer. If your sentence were "He is a lawyer and is smart," it would parallel the example. "He is a lawyer and is arrogant and smart." adds another adjective, but still parallels the example, and would convey what you want to convey.
But in your sentence you don't repeat the linking verb, so that arrogant and smart read as if in apposition to lawyer (I don't think adjectives can stand alone in apposition, but they read that way),and so further defining lawyer. Like "He is a lawyer, a shark." Which isn't what you want to convey.
Repeating the linking verb would make your meaning clear.
http://www.dictionary.com/e/predicate-nominative-vs-predicate-adjectives
edited Jul 29 '18 at 16:03
tchrist♦
110k30298480
answered Jul 15 '18 at 20:46
Zan700Zan700
2,441619
According to Dictionary.com
A single sentence can contain both predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives. For example, “She’s an engineer and is happy.” Here, the predicate nominative is engineer and the predicate adjective is happy.
She's happy in addition to being an engineer. If your sentence were "He is a lawyer and is smart," it would parallel the example. "He is a lawyer and is arrogant and smart." adds another adjective, but still parallels the example, and would convey what you want to convey.
But in your sentence you don't repeat the linking verb, so that arrogant and smart read as if in apposition to lawyer (I don't think adjectives can stand alone in apposition, but they read that way),and so further defining lawyer. Like "He is a lawyer, a shark." Which isn't what you want to convey.
Repeating the linking verb would make your meaning clear.
http://www.dictionary.com/e/predicate-nominative-vs-predicate-adjectives
edited Jul 29 '18 at 16:03
tchrist♦
110k30298480
answered Jul 15 '18 at 20:46
Zan700Zan700
2,441619
edited Jul 29 '18 at 16:03
tchrist♦
110k30298480
edited Jul 29 '18 at 16:03
tchrist♦
110k30298480
edited Jul 29 '18 at 16:03
tchrist♦
110k30298480
110k30298480
answered Jul 15 '18 at 20:46
Zan700Zan700
2,441619
answered Jul 15 '18 at 20:46
Zan700Zan700
2,441619
answered Jul 15 '18 at 20:46
Zan700Zan700
2,441619
2,441619
Okay, so you mean both (with and without the linking verb) are grammatically correct, and it's the verb that makes the difference about the real meaning?
– W.W.
Jul 16 '18 at 11:47
add a comment |
Okay, so you mean both (with and without the linking verb) are grammatically correct, and it's the verb that makes the difference about the real meaning?
– W.W.
Jul 16 '18 at 11:47
Okay, so you mean both (with and without the linking verb) are grammatically correct, and it's the verb that makes the difference about the real meaning?
– W.W.
Jul 16 '18 at 11:47
Okay, so you mean both (with and without the linking verb) are grammatically correct, and it's the verb that makes the difference about the real meaning?
– W.W.
Jul 16 '18 at 11:47
add a comment |
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1
Is he arrogant and smart because he's a lawyer, or is he arrogant and smart in addition to being a lawyer?
– Kenneth Odle
Jul 15 '18 at 16:38
Ah, I think I want to convey the latter via this sentence.
– W.W.
Jul 15 '18 at 17:01
In that case, you probably want to recast the sentence for clarity. Either "He is arrogant and smart, in addition to be a lawyer" or "He is a lawyer as well as arrogant and smart."
– Kenneth Odle
Jul 16 '18 at 21:46
Yep, this definitely reads like @KennethOdle 's first analysis; as if it is defining "lawyer". It needs rewriting. Even "He is arrogant, smart, and a lawyer" works better.
– user323578
Apr 26 at 7:42