Chapter VI. THE WORDS OF THE CATEGORY OF STATE

THE WORDS OF THE CATEGORY OF STATE

 

§ 1. The words of the category of state denote the temporary state or condition of people or things.

But Johnny and Paddy were asleep, the rose-red glow had paled, bats were flying, and still the bathers had not returned. (Mansfield)

Crearer said, "I'm afraid, General, we have to rely on the appeal of the leaflet." (Heym)

§ 2. As regards form the words of the category of state have the prefix a-: ablaze, afire, aflame, afoot, afraid, asleep, awake, etc.

§ 3. They are mainly used in the function of a predicative.

"He is awake!" Sally cried. (Saxton)

That was all right in the daytime, but while Alice was putting her to bed she grew suddenly afraid. (Mansfield)

When he got into bed, he was sure he'd never fall asleep, and yet he was dog-tired. (Wilson)

... but at the first double knock every window in the street became alive with female heads. (Dickens)

Words of the category of state may be used as objective predica­tives.

She was saying that she intended to leave him entirely alone again. (Wilson)

Words of the category of state may be sometimes used as attributes. But unlike adjectives they cannot be placed before the words they modify. As attributes they may be only used in post-position:

The father and mother dolls, who sprawled very stiff as though they had fainted in the drawing-room, and their two little chil­dren asleep upstairs were really too big for the doll's house. (Mansfield)

§ 4. Words of the category of state can be modified by adverbs of de­gree:

Sally, who had been half asleep with her head on Eddie's lap, woke up and began chanting. (Saxton)

Mrs. Gamp's curtains were drawn close, and Mrs. Gamp was fast asleep. (Dickens).

He immediately came fully awake. (Heym)

Words of the category of state may take prepositional indirect objects.

"You were afraid of the war?" she asked compassionately. (Heym)

... but at the first double knock every window in the street became alive with female heads. (Dickens)

"Merry," cried that more prudent damsel, "really I am ashamed of you " (Dickens)