[Grammar] They observed how the parts of the machine (were) fitted togehter.

[LQZ]

They observed how the parts of the machine fitted together.

Dear teachers,

The above is taken from a handy dictionary and I indeed think there is something wrong in it. I would write it this way:

They observed how the parts of the machine were fitted together.


Could you please clear it up? Thanks.


LQZ

 

[rlfwood]

Either version is acceptable, but they have slightly different meanings.

In the first one, "fitted together" refers to how the individual parts of the machine interacted or meshed with each other.

In the second, "were fitted together" refers to the manner in which the parts were installed into the machine. (Note that this usage of "fit" is BrE.)

 

[BobK]

:up: It's worth noting that one use of the verb 'fit' is transitive and the other isn't. The transitive meaning of fit means 'set up/install/deploy/assemble in such a way that the parts fit [no object] together' - the 'parts' are already the object of the trransitive sort of 'fit'.

b

 

[LQZ]

Thank you, I've got it. :-D

 

[BobK]

Thank you, I've got it. :-D

:up: - I've no idea how you managed, with the mess I made of 'transitive'.;-)

b