[Grammar] United / Unitedly

[vpkannan]

Hi,

Which of the following usages is correct?

1. We can fight the election united.
2. We can fight the election unitedly.

Thanks.

 

[GoesStation]

Only number 1 is correct.

 

[vpkannan]

'United' is an adjective, and how can it modify the verb 'fight' like an adverb?

 

[teechar]

It modifies "we."

 

[GoesStation]

You could add a comma to clarify the relationship: We can fight the election, united. "United" modifies we. The reader will understand it the same way with or without one.

 

[Rover_KE]

Try moving 'united' to the beginning of the sentence. Here, the comma is mandatory.

 

[vpkannan]

The 'united' modifies 'we' if used as suggested by you all. But, how is 'unitedly' wrong in the sentence as an adverb modifying the verb 'verb'? Is it grammatically wrong or just idiomatically wrong?

 

[Matthew Wai]

'Unitedly' is not a word according to http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/spellcheck/english/?q=unitedly

 

[Tdol]

It is listed in some dictionaries, but I would not use it in this sentence:

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/united
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unitedly

 

[Polyester]

How the word "united" modified the word "we"?

 

[Matthew Wai]

How the word "united" modified the word "we"?

'United' is an adjective, so it can modify 'we', a pronoun.

We, united, can fight the election.

 

[Tdol]

Honestly, I cannot think of a sentence where I would use unitedly, and doubt that I have ever used it.

 

[GoesStation]

How the word "united" modified the word "we"?

Write How does (or "can") the word "united" modify the word "we"?

 

[TheParser]

NOT A TEACHER


I have found some information that may interest my fellow learners.

1. The two men stood silently/silent.
2. The army was to travel as lightly/light as possible.
3. And Quietly/Quiet Flows the Don (title of a Russian novel; the Don is a river in Russia).


In the opinion of my source:

a. In No. 1, use "silent." Let the silence refer to the standers, not the standing.

b. In No. 2, use "light." Lightness belongs to the army, not to the manner of traveling.

c. In No. 3, the English title correctly uses "quiet." We are talking about the quietness in the river. The verb "flows" is "a mere connective." [my emphasis]

Source: Wilson Follett, Modern American Usage / A Guide (1980).

 

[Matthew Wai]

(Don't leave spaces round slashes.)

.

 

[TheParser]

NOT A TEACHER


Thank you, Mr. Wai, for reminding me of the moderator's comment.

I have edited my post so that there are no spaces before or after the slashes.

I want to follow the rules of this website, lest I mislead any of my fellow learners.

*****

I did some googling and wish to share the results.

1. Yes, most authorities tell us that there should be no spaces.

a. He is rich/wealthy.

2. If the items on either side have spaces, then some people do use spaces before and after the slash.

a. He is a folk singer / lyric writer.

3. Most authorities suggest spaces when quoting poetry.


My online sources: quora.com and apvschicago.com.

 

[vpkannan]

Let the silence refer to the standers, not the standing.

Is it standers / standees?

 

[Matthew Wai]

Do you notice post #15?

 

[TheParser]

Is it standers / standees?

NOT A TEACHER


Excellent question, Vpkannan.

I have done some googling and would like to share some ideas (not "answers") with you.

1. The word "stander" was used to refer to those two men because they were standing, not sitting. They were "standers," not "sitters."

2. The word "standee" usually applies to people who pay for the privilege of standing.

a. If there are no more seats available at a concert, some places will allow "standees," i.e., people who are allowed to pay for the right to stand somewhere in the hall and watch the concert.

3. Yes, I do believe that sometimes native speakers disagree on which word to use.

a. On a crowded subway car, should we refer to people who are standing as "standers" or "standees"? (I will keep my opinion to myself.)

4. I do believe, however, that referring to those two standing men in my post (#14) as "standees" might be a bit humorous.

a. An interesting fact: If you happen to witness an accident, you will be called a "bystander." (Not a "bystandee.")

 

[Tdol]

I have heard standees, but I don't use it.