the sun

[pumpjockey]

the sun measures about 860.000 miles in diameter


Here is the problem, friend of mine saying this sentence is wrong, his argument is : (the sun measures) He says, implies to him that sun has a tape measure and goıng around measuring things. Absurd I know.:)
but hes a new learner and how do I explain to him that, it doesnt mean what he thinks....

Thanks in advance..

[susiedqq]

In your sentence, "measures" is used a verb.


Here it is used as a noun:
The measurement of the sun is about . . . .

Take a measuring tape and . . . . (as an adjective)

[peter123]

Hi there,

So is it wrong to say like this?


the sun measures about 860.000 miles in diameter.

Thanks
pete

[banderas]

pete, it is ok to say so

[engee30]

The sun measures about 860.000 miles in diameter.

What's more, the verb measure is the linking verb here, so it can't indicate that somebody is doing something. In:

John measured the sun.

the verb measure is used as a transitive verb, and now you can say that somebody is (actually) measuring something.

[susiedqq]

The sun measures about . . . .

simple present tense verb for the word "measure"

I measure 5 foot on a good day.
You measure the bed and I'll sew the pillows.
She measures cloth for a living.