
Originally Posted by
Casiopea
1. Fresh chicken may be sold in Hong Kong.
2. Fresh chicken may be disappeared in Hong Kong. Ungrammatical
The word 'sold' is an adjective, so it takes a linking verb "be". But the word 'disappeared' is a verb, so it doesn't need another verb, like "be". Adjectives, not verbs, need a linking verb.
That is,
1. may (modal) be (linking verb) sold (adjective)
2. may (modal) disappear (main verb, potential in meaning)
In short, "may be disappeared" is ungrammatical because there are two main verbs, 'be' and 'disappeared'. Either delete 'be' and -ed (3) or change 'disappeared' to an adjective by replacing -ed with -ing (4)
3. Fresh chickens may disappear in Hong Kong.
4. Fresh chickens may be disappearing in Hong Kong.
Cas :)