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 #2 (permalink) Tue Mar 07, 2006 19:57 pm Arrest |
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Hi,
The verb arrest means stop. In this sentence the police officer arrests someone - stops them where they are and then takes them to a police station.
Alan
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Alan
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| #3 (permalink) Fri Nov 16, 2012 6:21 am What is the form of the verb here? |
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Hi Teachers,
As I see, the affirmative sentence will be
He is being arrested as we speak.
Am I right?
What is the name of such construction in this case (which is underlined)? Is it the Present Continuous Tense in the Passive Voice? Why Continuous is needed here?
How to say this sentence in other words to convey the sense?
Thank you,
Vladimir.
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 Vladimir13
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| #4 (permalink) Fri Nov 16, 2012 8:19 am Meaning of arrested |
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It is needed because the action is still in progress at the time of speaking.
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Beeesneees
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| #5 (permalink) Fri Nov 16, 2012 8:30 am In other words... |
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Hi Beeesneees,
Well, does this variant reproduce the meaning:
The police is arresting him, and we are telling about this event.
?
Thank you,
Vladimir.
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| #6 (permalink) Fri Nov 16, 2012 8:37 am Meaning of arrested |
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I'm afraid not, for two reasons.
It should be "The police are arresting him". 'Police' is plural:
http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic91727.html
'as we speak' is a set phrase which means 'at this moment'. You could say 'as we are telling you about this event', but there is no point in making this phrase so lengthy.
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Beeesneees
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| #7 (permalink) Fri Nov 16, 2012 9:33 am The set phrase was the point! |
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It is very useful as to police, thanks!
I also don't see the advantage of speaking in this long way. I've used it only to accomplish a purpose to understand the sense of the whole sentence. Now I know that as we speak is an American set phrase that means at this moment.
Thank you for your help,
Vladimir.
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| To + infinitive after "try" | What does this phrasal verb mean "to make for"? Is it an idiom? |
