That ripe oranges peel easily implies someone experienced peeling a ripe orange or two and therefore knows that oranges like that, even
though they haven't received a peeling yet, peel easily. Similarly, that book reads well implies someone experienced reading it and therefore knows that it reads well. It has 'received' a reading.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Andrew 'read' doesn't happen to the book, it happens in the actors mind - a mental activity. |
Right, and that's what we expect in passive constructs as well. (I can't seem to figure out what you want me to see.
)
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Andrew No, I am not saying it has to be lexically stative - though that would help. I am saying that the verb needs a stative reference, as wash does, to be used in mediopassive. |
OK. Help me.
How does
wash have a 'stative reference' and
read not have one?
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Andrew Did I ever say the book was the agent? You seem to be seriously misunderstanding my objection here! |
Actually, I'm starting to realize that myself at this point.
From where I stand, I don't understand all that clearly what it is, exactly, you find problematic with mediopassive
read.
I know it has something to do with
read being, to use your words, a mental activity, but I don't get why that is a problem.
All the best.
