THE PASSIVE WITH GETAnd participial adjectives

FORM

We form the standard passive with be + -ed(p.p.) form. We form the get passive with get + -ed (p.p.)form:

* The trees in the garden were damaged in the wind. (standard passive)

* The trees in the garden got damaged in the wind. (get passive)

USE

Get is often used instead of be in the passive voice in informal spoken English to expresses action and change.

Examples:

* She was upset by her experience that morning.

She got upset. (no by-phrase)

* She was frightened by swooping pigeons.

She got frightened. (no by-phrase)

Get is often followed by an adjective or a participle.• I always get hungry if I skip breakfast.• My brother got hit by a motorbike.

ADJECTIVE OR PARTICIPLE Tom was frightened by the sound of breaking

glass. (clearly a verb) Tom was frightened. (verb or adjective?) Tom was very frightened. (clearly an

adjective) Tom got frightened. "became" (frightened,

worried, alarmed, carried away, frustrated) Tom appeared frightened. (Adj)

EXPLANATION

• Get before a past participle is often ambiguous as either a passive verb form or participial adjective. It is hard to tell the difference, especially when no by-phrase is present.

• She was frightened by swooping pigeons.• She got frightened. (no by-phrase)• Get means "become" before an adjective.

You can test if a participle is an adjectival (1) by placing very before it; (2) by replacing got with seemed or became.

• She got very frightened. (informal)• She [got, became, seemed] frightened.

MORE EXAMPLES

1. I took a shower and got dressed.2. When did they get married?3. Have you ever got lost while travelling?4. Their car got stolen in front of their house last night.5. Jerry got fired because he was always late for work.6. He feels his paintings are always getting criticized.7. I am getting old.8. It's getting hotter.9. By the time they reached the house they were

getting hungry.10. I'm getting tired of all this nonsense.11. It gets dark very early in the winter.12. Don't touch the stove until it gets cool.

PARTICIPIAL ADJECTIVES

The participial adjectives are a major subclass of adjectives. They can be distinguished by their endings, either –ed or –ing. They are called participial adjectives because they have the same endings as verb participles.

Past participles (-ed) are used to say how people feel. -ed participle refers to the experiencer (the one feeling the emotion)

Anne is very interested in the lesson. Present participles (-ing) are used to describe the

people or things that cause the feelings. -ing participle refers to the actor (the one/thing causing the emotion)

The lesson is interesting (to Anne).

EXAMPLES

The fascinating book was a thrilling read. The interesting story made a compelling

point. Sally was bored by the conversation. The conversation was boring. I am tired today, and my work is really tiring. My frustrating experience at the restaurant

made me angry.