In the sentence ‘Get dressed by the time she comes,’ the phrase ‘get dressed’ might seem a bit confusing, especially for learners revisiting basic English grammar. In this article, we’ll explain why ‘dressed’ is used after ‘get’ and how this construction works in English.
1. Understanding the phrase ‘Get dressed’
In English, the verb ‘get’ is often used in combination with a past participle to describe a state or condition someone is in after completing an action. In the case of ‘get dressed,’ ‘dressed’ is the past participle of the verb ‘dress.’ This combination is used to indicate that someone has completed the action of dressing themselves.
For example, when we say ‘Get dressed,’ it implies that the person should complete the process of putting on clothes. The action is not about dressing itself but about reaching the state of being dressed.
2. Why ‘dressed’ and not another form?
‘Dressed’ is a past participle, which is commonly used in English to form perfect tenses and passive constructions. When ‘get’ is used with a past participle like ‘dressed,’ it forms a causative construction. This means the person is causing themselves to be in a certain state. In other words, ‘get dressed’ means to put on clothes and end up in a dressed state.
In English, we often use this structure for similar phrases such as ‘get married’ or ‘get tired.’ The past participle here is not a simple past tense verb but indicates a completed state.
3. The causative construction in ‘Get dressed’
When we say ‘Get dressed by the time she comes,’ the ‘get + past participle’ structure is telling the person to complete the action (dressing) by a certain time. This is a common way of giving instructions or making requests in English.
For example, you might say, ‘Get ready for the party,’ where ‘get ready’ means to prepare yourself by completing the necessary actions. In this case, ‘get’ implies that the person should cause themselves to be in a state of readiness.
4. Common ‘get + past participle’ constructions
The ‘get + past participle’ construction is commonly used in English, and understanding it helps learners improve their grammar skills. Other examples include:
- ‘Get married’ – to become married
- ‘Get upset’ – to become upset
- ‘Get bored’ – to become bored
These examples show how ‘get’ is used to convey a change of state. It’s an important structure to grasp in English for both everyday conversations and formal communication.
5. Conclusion: Why ‘dressed’ after ‘get’?
In summary, ‘Get dressed’ uses the past participle ‘dressed’ because it’s part of a causative construction. The phrase means to cause oneself to become dressed. By understanding this structure, you can see how it fits into the broader context of English grammar, making it easier to use in both speaking and writing.
コメント