grammatical function of "shut" in a sentence?

[maoyueh]

I found the following sentences in a college textbook. What is the grammatical function of "shut" in the second sentence? Thank you.

.... "This is when the Venus flytrap reacts. Its large mouth-like leaves close shut and the insect is trapped inside."

 

[birdeen's call]

I found the following sentences in a college textbook. What is the grammatical function of "shut" in the second sentence? Thank you.

.... "This is when the Venus flytrap reacts. Its large mouth-like leaves close shut and the insect is trapped inside."

Interesting. It's a past participle used as a subject complement in my humble opinion. It's interesting because I can't find any mention of "close" being an English copula on the web.

 

[5jj]

I think it just an adjective.

He pushed the door open/shut
He closed/slammed the door shut.

To 'close something shut' may appear tautologous, but there are 21 examples of it in COCA - and they don't appear unnatural to me.

 

[birdeen's call]

Can you shut something closed? ;-)

 

[5jj]

Can you shut something closed? ;-)

I can't.

 

[TheParser]

I think it just an adjective.


He closed/slammed the door shut.




ONLY A NON-TEACHER'S OPINION


(1) I believe that we may be dealing with a so-called ergative verb.

(a) Someone closed the door shut. (As Teacher Fivejedjon taught us, "shut" is an

adjective referring to the "door.")

(b) The door closed shut. (As Key Member Birdeen's Call taught us, "shut" is a

subjective complement of "door."

***

(2) I found a scholarly paper on the Web. You can find it by googling "Semantic

Correlatives of the Ergative/ Absolute Distinction, Edward L. Keenan."

(a) Of course, I was not able to understand it, but I did find this gem:

The subject in the following sentences "acquired the property expressed by

the adjective":

John grew stubborn.

John waxed loquacious.

The milk turned sour.

The door slammed shut.