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ESL forum > Grammar and Linguistics > Grammar Question    

Grammar Question



sally259
United Kingdom

Grammar Question
 
Please could somebody explain the following to me?  Thank you.

1.  The cinema has been open since 1950.

2.  The cinema was opened in 1950.

Why doesn �t �open � finish with -ed as the past participle in 1, but it does in 2.  I know the second sentence is a passive sentence but what is the first?  Thank you for any replies. 

10 Apr 2012      





mododdou
Morocco

the first "open" is an adjective while the second "opened" is a past participle.cheers

10 Apr 2012     



olgavillanua
Spain

Hi Sally!

In the second example -opened- is the past participle of a passive sentence whereas in the first one -open- is just an adjective.

I hope my explanation makes it clearer for you.

10 Apr 2012     



monicablt
Romania

Yes, that �s right !

1st sentence is active : 
present perfect of "to be" + open (adjective), 
meaning that the cinema opened in 1950 and it has been so since 1950 (i.e. it �s still open)

2nd sentence is passive, but for the verb "open" active voice can be used with no difference in meaning, which stays passive anyway:

The cinema was opened in 1950 = The cinema opened in 1950

10 Apr 2012     



ironik
Australia

the verb- to open, is an action verb and happens only once, that �s why we can �t say "The cinema has been opened since 1950." It �s completely wrong.

However, we can say "it has been open since 1950", because it refers to a continuous state

 Also, when you say "the cinema was opened in 1950", you can expect such a sentence afterwards: "..and it was closed in 1990." You can �t do that for the present perfect sentence.

I hope this and the other explanations has been helpful Smile

10 Apr 2012     



ascincoquinas
Portugal

Hi Sally!

Just take a look at this headline from the Guardian online:

France �s presidential duel has been opened up by Fran�ois Hollande �s triple threat

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/apr/05/france-presidential-election-duel


10 Apr 2012     



sally259
United Kingdom

Thank you all for your answers.  They have helped me a lot.

11 Apr 2012