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Pastimes : SI Grammar and Spelling Lab

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To: Jacques Chitte who wrote (1056)	4/3/1998 5:33:00 PM
From: jbe	Read Replies (1) of 4711

"Participle swap" is a great phrase. Yet I wonder if what we are talking about may not really be an abbreviated passive infinitive (is there such a term -- "passive infinitive"?). The guy who was saying that "your car needs washed" may have been using telegraph language for "your car needs TO BE washed." Besides, "washing" in this context is not really a participle. It is being used as a noun, as the alternative, and equally acceptable, way of phrasing the sentence -- "your car needs a washing (i.e., a bath)" -- demonstrates. Your turn! jbe

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