Lucas21c Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Could you explain this to me?
Obama administration officials said that they were surprised by the coup on Sunday. But they also said that they had been working for several weeks to try to head off a political crisis in as the confrontation between Mr. Zelaya and the military over his efforts to lift presidential term limits escalated.
The last phrase is understood for me in 2 ways. The first one is "The presidential term limits are already escalated and he tried again to extend presidential term limits". And the second one is "He want gradually and successively to extend presidential term."
According to grammar which I know, the "escalated" should be a objective complement. And if so, I have to take it following the first way.
But, if the "escalated" can work as an adverb, the last phrase also can be interpreted in second way.
And for me, in terms of meaning, it sounds like more natural. However, as far as I know, "escalated" is a past participle and therefore it can never work as a adverb.
Please tell me which one is correct.
Thanks.
The last phrase is understood for me in 2 ways. The first one is "The presidential term limits are already escalated and he tried again to extend presidential term limits". And the second one is "He want gradually and successively to extend presidential term."
According to grammar which I know, the "escalated" should be a objective complement. And if so, I have to take it following the first way.
But, if the "escalated" can work as an adverb, the last phrase also can be interpreted in second way.
And for me, in terms of meaning, it sounds like more natural. However, as far as I know, "escalated" is a past participle and therefore it can never work as a adverb.
Please tell me which one is correct.
Thanks.
Top answer
lucas21c as the confrontation between Mr. Zelaya and the military over his efforts to lift presidential term limits escalated. escalated is simply a verb in the simple past tense.
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lucas21cas the confrontation between Mr. Zelaya and the military over his efforts to lift presidential term limits escalated.escalated is simply a verb in the simple past tense. The subject that goes with it is "confrontation". The confrontation escalated.
... the confrontation (dispute) escalated (became more heated). The dispute c
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