[Grammar] Feeling Sleepy Feeling Hungry

[PROESL]

Originally Posted by anupumh

Beyond doubt. You not only provide the right structure but also provide the why? And I wont hesitate to say that you are the only one who does it elaborately and in the finest of details. It is commendable and I admire for your in depth knowledge of grammar.

Well, thank you very much for saying so. I consider replying to questions from learners as much of a learning experience as it is a teaching experience. Experience can sometimes be the best teacher, though a variety of methods and resources make matters easier, I think.

[anupumh]

I totally agree, learning never stops.

[PROESL]

Originally Posted by anupumh

Could you please elaborate on this statement "for. <feeling> has to be an adjective -"

Thanks a bunch

Let me see if I can elaborate on this a bit.

The verb "feel" is a linking verb. Considering this, "feel" is similar to "be". Linking verbs are not followed by adverbs. An adverb does not modify a state or a condition, and linking verbs are used to express states or conditions.

Here's an example.

They feel bad. We can't say "They feel badly". - I would not say "they feel badly", but I think I understand that some people just might.

They feel awful. They feel awfully? - See? It doesn't work.

They are bad. - okay

They are badly. not okay

They sound bad. - okay

They sound badly. Now that sounds bad - really bad.

We feel happy. - okay - adjective

We feel happily.. - I don't think so.

They live happily. - Now that's just fine, and "live" is not a linking verb.

[PROESL]

Originally Posted by anupumh

If both.. I am feeling hungry and I am hugry are correct. Is "feeling" in the first sentence redundant or a useless filler?

It's not necessary, but it's not wrong. And I wouldn't call it redundant.

[bhaisahab]

Originally Posted by PROESL

How is this relevant?

There could be, I don't know, more people in China who speak English than in the US. This may not be true now, but it could be true one day. This would not make errors in "Chinese English" acceptable or correct, nor should it give rise to the notion of "Chinese English" as a dialect of English.

The situations of China and India, as regards the English language, are completely different. The English language has been present in India since the 16th century, India was part of the British Empire for 250 years, during which time its government and administration was carried on in English. Today, English is the second official language, all government documents are written in English and Hindi, the professions such as law and medicine are largely carried out in English and there are over 12 million Indians who speak English as their first language (compared with 15 million Australians and 4 million New Zealanders). In addition there are approximately 90 million people who speak English fluently as a second language, plus unknown millions who use some English daily. There are also approximately 17 million English speakers in Pakistan which, as I'm sure you know, was part of India until 1947. Indian English is a recognised dialect of English.

[bhaisahab]

India has in fact the second largest number of English speakers (as opposed to users) in the world, after the USA. So I was wrong about that point.