What `be` can add to following statement?
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0
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Context: I asked reason for a statement in Question and answer forum. I got two possibilities in this scenario.
How can it be possible?
OR
- How can it possible?
My question is how be
changed context and meaning of my scenario?
PS: Any source of reading required please comment.
grammar
migrated from english.stackexchange.com Dec 16 at 8:36
This question came from our site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts.
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up vote
0
down vote
favorite
Context: I asked reason for a statement in Question and answer forum. I got two possibilities in this scenario.
How can it be possible?
OR
- How can it possible?
My question is how be
changed context and meaning of my scenario?
PS: Any source of reading required please comment.
grammar
migrated from english.stackexchange.com Dec 16 at 8:36
This question came from our site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts.
2
'be' is what makes it grammatical.
– Jim
Dec 16 at 6:41
Without be, the sentence has no meaning. (Of course, other words could be used. For instance, How can it appear possible? Although a bit strange, it's still grammatical and has meaning in the right context. But you need to having something between it and possible.)
– Jason Bassford
Dec 16 at 6:58
The verb be is often called a "linking verb". In this instance, it's quite apt: you have nothing linking together it and possible. I think people in our sister site may be best able to explain and answer.
– Andrew Leach
Dec 16 at 8:36
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
Context: I asked reason for a statement in Question and answer forum. I got two possibilities in this scenario.
How can it be possible?
OR
- How can it possible?
My question is how be
changed context and meaning of my scenario?
PS: Any source of reading required please comment.
grammar
Context: I asked reason for a statement in Question and answer forum. I got two possibilities in this scenario.
How can it be possible?
OR
- How can it possible?
My question is how be
changed context and meaning of my scenario?
PS: Any source of reading required please comment.
grammar
grammar
asked Dec 16 at 6:35
kvk30
1012
1012
migrated from english.stackexchange.com Dec 16 at 8:36
This question came from our site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts.
migrated from english.stackexchange.com Dec 16 at 8:36
This question came from our site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts.
2
'be' is what makes it grammatical.
– Jim
Dec 16 at 6:41
Without be, the sentence has no meaning. (Of course, other words could be used. For instance, How can it appear possible? Although a bit strange, it's still grammatical and has meaning in the right context. But you need to having something between it and possible.)
– Jason Bassford
Dec 16 at 6:58
The verb be is often called a "linking verb". In this instance, it's quite apt: you have nothing linking together it and possible. I think people in our sister site may be best able to explain and answer.
– Andrew Leach
Dec 16 at 8:36
add a comment |
2
'be' is what makes it grammatical.
– Jim
Dec 16 at 6:41
Without be, the sentence has no meaning. (Of course, other words could be used. For instance, How can it appear possible? Although a bit strange, it's still grammatical and has meaning in the right context. But you need to having something between it and possible.)
– Jason Bassford
Dec 16 at 6:58
The verb be is often called a "linking verb". In this instance, it's quite apt: you have nothing linking together it and possible. I think people in our sister site may be best able to explain and answer.
– Andrew Leach
Dec 16 at 8:36
2
2
'be' is what makes it grammatical.
– Jim
Dec 16 at 6:41
'be' is what makes it grammatical.
– Jim
Dec 16 at 6:41
Without be, the sentence has no meaning. (Of course, other words could be used. For instance, How can it appear possible? Although a bit strange, it's still grammatical and has meaning in the right context. But you need to having something between it and possible.)
– Jason Bassford
Dec 16 at 6:58
Without be, the sentence has no meaning. (Of course, other words could be used. For instance, How can it appear possible? Although a bit strange, it's still grammatical and has meaning in the right context. But you need to having something between it and possible.)
– Jason Bassford
Dec 16 at 6:58
The verb be is often called a "linking verb". In this instance, it's quite apt: you have nothing linking together it and possible. I think people in our sister site may be best able to explain and answer.
– Andrew Leach
Dec 16 at 8:36
The verb be is often called a "linking verb". In this instance, it's quite apt: you have nothing linking together it and possible. I think people in our sister site may be best able to explain and answer.
– Andrew Leach
Dec 16 at 8:36
add a comment |
1 Answer
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1
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*How can it possible
is not grammatical.
Modals like "can" must be followed by a verb (except in elliptical answers like "Can you do it? Yes, I can", where the verb is understood).
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1 Answer
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
*How can it possible
is not grammatical.
Modals like "can" must be followed by a verb (except in elliptical answers like "Can you do it? Yes, I can", where the verb is understood).
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
*How can it possible
is not grammatical.
Modals like "can" must be followed by a verb (except in elliptical answers like "Can you do it? Yes, I can", where the verb is understood).
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
*How can it possible
is not grammatical.
Modals like "can" must be followed by a verb (except in elliptical answers like "Can you do it? Yes, I can", where the verb is understood).
*How can it possible
is not grammatical.
Modals like "can" must be followed by a verb (except in elliptical answers like "Can you do it? Yes, I can", where the verb is understood).
answered Dec 16 at 12:05
Colin Fine
27.7k24054
27.7k24054
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2
'be' is what makes it grammatical.
– Jim
Dec 16 at 6:41
Without be, the sentence has no meaning. (Of course, other words could be used. For instance, How can it appear possible? Although a bit strange, it's still grammatical and has meaning in the right context. But you need to having something between it and possible.)
– Jason Bassford
Dec 16 at 6:58
The verb be is often called a "linking verb". In this instance, it's quite apt: you have nothing linking together it and possible. I think people in our sister site may be best able to explain and answer.
– Andrew Leach
Dec 16 at 8:36