From: Ken Smith (kens@180solutions.com)
Date: Fri Sep 07 2001 - 13:31:35 EDT
Erik wrote:
> Now, here is my question:
> The verb DUNAMAI - "I am able" has a lexical form ending in
> -OMAI, and thus is a deponent verb, according to QUOTE #2.
> But "I am able" would seem to be passive in meaning, it
> doesn't have me doing any sort of active action. Thus it
> should not be a deponent according to QUOTE #1, since it is
> not "active in meaning." Am I incorrectly assuming it is
> passive in meaning, because of the English usage?
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
Think of it (in terms of form) as "I can". It's similar to the French
"pouvoir". The English "I am able" is itself maybe a little like a
deponent verb: passive in form, active in meaning.
Ken Smith
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