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dcomest
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67534
Fri, 14 Jan 05 03:31 AM
Dear Cosmopolitans!
I'm wondering what the differences are in the following sentences? I know (a) (a) sounds awkward, but what about (b), (c)? open/opened... close/closed...
(a) ???The mall is opened five days a week.
(b) The mall is open five days a week.
(c) The mall opens five days a week.
(d) Many malls are closed on Mondays.
(e) Many malls closes on Mondays.
Hope someone can clear up my doubt.
Any insightful explanation appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Jay
Confused in ROK
Joined on
Thu, Jan 6 2005
New Member
19
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just the truth
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67543
Fri, 14 Jan 05 05:07 AM
I'm wondering what the differences are in the following sentences? I know(a) sounds awkward, but what about (b), (c)? open/opened... close/closed...
(a) ???The mall is opened five days a week.
Not at all awkward IF the meaning points to the fact that some person is in charge of opening the mall. Then it's just the passive. As you likely intend it, Jay, it's, as you note, highly questionable.
(b) The mall is open five days a week.
Refers to the state of the mall.
(c) The mall opens five days a week.
Same as (b), it relates to the routine, the habitual, the scheduled. For some very commonly used structures in English, we use an active construction like this even though it's impossible for the mall to open itself.
(d) Many malls are closed on Mondays.
A variant of b & c.
(e) *Many malls closes on Mondays.*
Ungrammatical with the plural subject and singular verb. I think I know what your next question will be but I'll let you ask it anyway.
Joined on
Mon, Dec 27 2004
Regular Member
849
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dcomest
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67581
Fri, 14 Jan 05 09:54 AM
Sorry for the typo!
(e) should be "Many malls close on Mondays."
I appreciate your sound thoughts on my post.
Have an excellent day!
Jay from ROK
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p.s. But still the sentence (a) (a) confuses me...
(a) ???The mall is opened five days a week.
Does (a) (a) really sound OK "IF the meaning points to the fact that some person is in charge of opening the mall." Considering passive-active relationship, (a) (a) it looks ok, but "in practice" isn't it a little bit awakward to say
The mall is opened five days a week.
My thoughts are still in the cloud.
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