Transitive and Intransitive verbs

[Barb_D]

That seems so strange to me.
This may be a case where the dictionary gives a "true" definition but it seems off to native speakers.

 

[MikeNewYork]

"Gestured" there means that it was done with non-verbal communication, usually a hand gesture.

 

[tkacka15]

"Gestured" there means that it was done with non-verbal communication, usually a hand gesture.

I'm not a teacher and not a native speaker.

I agree. It is a non-verbal communication. Deaf people gesture to understand each other. In this sense what is a difference between "I was told" and "I was gestured"? Both verbs, "told" and "gestured", are used in passive in my examples and that is a test to confirm that they are transitive. I agree that "I was gestured" may be off for the native ear, but the question is: is it ungrammatical?

 

[MikeNewYork]

I would say it is grammatical, but it is so unusual, I could not recommend it.

 

[tkacka15]

I would say it is grammatical, but it is so unusual, I could not recommend it.

I see.

 

[mawes12]

"Gestured" there means that it was done with non-verbal communication, usually a hand gesture.

Can it also mean "show" or "point"? Because "show" and "point" can also be nonverbal.

 

[Matthew Wai]

"He gestured me over with the movement of his head." (From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - New Edition.)

I cannot find the above example in the following Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, but I am not a teacher.
http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/gesture_2

 

[tkacka15]

Can it also mean "show" or "point"? Because "show" and "point" can also be nonverbal.

I'm not a teacher.

If you point or show something by using your hand, fingers or eyes you gesture. You are engaged in a sort of finger-pointing.

 

[tkacka15]

I cannot find the above example in the following Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, but I am not a teacher.
http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/gesture_2

I'm not a teacher.

What you need is the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (a book), the one with the Professor Sir Randolph Quirk's preface.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I have Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (English-Chinese) 4th Edition (paper version), which does not have the following example either.

"He gestured me over with the movement of his head." (From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - New Edition.)

I suspect your New Edition is actually an old version, but I am not a teacher.

 

[tkacka15]

I have Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (English-Chinese) 4th Edition (paper version), which does not have the following example either.

I suspect your new version is actually an old version, but I am not a teacher.

I'm not a teacher and not a native speaker.

As I've told you: you need that edition with the Professor Randolph Quirk's preface. It may be an older version but is absolutely priceless for me.

 

[Matthew Wai]

In my 4th edition, there is a foreword (instead of preface) written by Randolph Quirk.
I also had your New Edition years ago, but I dumped it when I bought a later version.
I think the example quoted from your old version might be outdated, but I am not a teacher.

 

[tkacka15]

In my 4th edition, there is a foreword (instead of preface) written by Randolph Quirk.
I also had your New Edition years ago, but I dumped it when I bought a later version.
I think the example quoted from your old version might be outdated, but I am not a teacher.

I'm not a teacher.

In my opinion, it was wrong on your part to ditch that old version. Sometimes the grammar and especially syntax terminology can be so foggy so it is very useful to have older versions of dictionaries and grammar books handy.

 

[Barb_D]

Let's agree that "gestured me to a seat" (or whatever it said) and expecting "me" to be a direct object is not current usage.

"He gestured his displeasure" (as Mike said, with a rude hand gesture, most likely) does work.

 

[tkacka15]

I have Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (English-Chinese) 4th Edition (paper version), which does not have the following example either.

I suspect your New Edition is actually an old version, but I am not a teacher.

Hi Matthew,

I've forgotten to mention that my dictionary is an English-English one.

(I'm not a teacher.)

 

[Matthew Wai]

Let's agree that "gestured me to a seat" (or whatever it said) and expecting "me" to be a direct object is not current usage.

I think it would be current usage if 'motioned/beckoned' were used instead of 'gestured', but I am not a teacher.

 

[tkacka15]

Let's agree that "gestured me to a seat" (or whatever it said) and expecting "me" to be a direct object is not current usage.

"He gestured his displeasure" (as Mike said, with a rude hand gesture, most likely) does work.

I'm not a teacher and not a native speaker.

Just out of curiosity: what is not in current usage? Is it "me" not to be considered as an object or is it the whole phrase objectionable?

I've Google'ed-out many clauses with "he gestured me to" that are still alive and kicking in English writing.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think 'to gesture + someone (as a direct object)' is not current usage, and that's why it has been excluded from the latest version, but I am not a teacher.