The subject names the person, place, or thing (that is)/(which is)...

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Jackson6612

#346450 Mon, 02 Apr 07 08:07 PM

The following is one of those sentences which always seem obscure to me.

The subject names the person, place, or thing being talked about.

I think being is used as verb and talked as an adjective in the above sentence. But if it were up to me then I would write that sentence as follows:

The subject names the person, place, or thing (that is)/(which is) being talked about.

Please give your answer in the light of English grammar.

Jackson6612

Joined on Wed, Dec 27 2006

Senior Member (2,801)

NOTE: When you reply to my post, please look for mistakes in grammar, syntax or punctuation, and let me know of any suggestions you have. Thank you.

Grammar, Verbs, English grammar

Yankee

#346471 Mon, 02 Apr 07 10:01 PM

Jackson6612 wrote:
The subject names the person, place, or thing being talked about.
I think being is used as verb and talked as an adjective in the above sentence. But if it were up to me then I would write that sentence as follows:

The subject names the person, place, or thing (that is)/(which is) being talked about.

that = subject of the clause

is being talked (about) = present continuous of 'talk (about)' in the passive voice

Compare "is being talked about" with "is being discussed". They mean the same thing and are used the same way in this case.

Yankee

Joined on Sat, Apr 15 2006

Connecticut, USA

Senior Member (4,102)

Amy "You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." - Mark Twain

Verbs, Present continuous

Jackson6612

#350293 Fri, 13 Apr 07 09:59 AM

Jackson6612 wrote:

The following is one of those sentences which always seem obscure to me.

The subject names the person, place, or thing being talked about.

What tense are we using in that sentence? I don't know such a construction of any tense which uses being+past participle. Suppose, if the sentence is ''the subject names the person, place, or thing being talked about'', then this is passive construction of Present Continuous tense. I think being is used as a verb and talked as an adjective in the above sentence. If it were up to me, then I would write that sentence as follows:

The subject names the person, place, or thing (that is)/(which is) being talked about.

Please give your answer in the light of English grammar.