CrypticBlah
@crypticblah.bsky.social
Not worried avout the commas there, and your two substitions do work yes.
December 3, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Not worried avout the commas there, and your two substitions do work yes.
I wouldn't bother. The Netflix mini series pilot got dreadful reviews.
December 3, 2025 at 3:41 AM
I wouldn't bother. The Netflix mini series pilot got dreadful reviews.
That's all absolutely fine. My argument is more that separating the pp from it's auxillary verb means it is no longer a verb. However I am clearly swimming against the tide here.
December 3, 2025 at 3:40 AM
That's all absolutely fine. My argument is more that separating the pp from it's auxillary verb means it is no longer a verb. However I am clearly swimming against the tide here.
As an indicator where there is fodder acting as subject and/or object yes but in a definition? The clue should function grammatically in both senses.
December 2, 2025 at 4:41 PM
As an indicator where there is fodder acting as subject and/or object yes but in a definition? The clue should function grammatically in both senses.
Good luck with them.
December 2, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Good luck with them.
I'm not sure it can, no. A verbal phrase can define a verb but an adverbial phrase surely defines an adverb. Is behaving like Reeves would be a verbal phrase and I wouldn't object to dropping the auxiliary verb in the solution.
December 2, 2025 at 4:38 PM
I'm not sure it can, no. A verbal phrase can define a verb but an adverbial phrase surely defines an adverb. Is behaving like Reeves would be a verbal phrase and I wouldn't object to dropping the auxiliary verb in the solution.
My other though was to use a present participle of an auxillary verb - doing like Reeves - but then I realised that's the mother of all double duty.
December 2, 2025 at 4:32 PM
My other though was to use a present participle of an auxillary verb - doing like Reeves - but then I realised that's the mother of all double duty.
I do see that argument of wider context of course but behaving badly is also not a verb it's an adverbial phrase. It answers the question How...
December 2, 2025 at 4:28 PM
I do see that argument of wider context of course but behaving badly is also not a verb it's an adverbial phrase. It answers the question How...
Hope you're going to keep this up for all twelve.
December 2, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Hope you're going to keep this up for all twelve.
PP without an auxillary is either an adjective or a gerund not a verb. The exception to that is when forming a simultaneous continuous present of two actions, or if one action interrupts the other. Both of which requires two clauses. The def has one clause and no auxiliary and ergo not a verb.
December 2, 2025 at 3:54 PM
PP without an auxillary is either an adjective or a gerund not a verb. The exception to that is when forming a simultaneous continuous present of two actions, or if one action interrupts the other. Both of which requires two clauses. The def has one clause and no auxiliary and ergo not a verb.
I'll report you to the Académie Française if you're not careful. They have a whistleblower line you know.
December 2, 2025 at 7:25 AM
I'll report you to the Académie Française if you're not careful. They have a whistleblower line you know.
So without the context of a main clause "behaving like Reeves" is adverbial as it answers the question how is Reeves behaving.
"Behaving likes Reeves is/does/is doing"includes the auxiliary verb (or two) and so is a verbal phrase.
"Behaving likes Reeves is/does/is doing"includes the auxiliary verb (or two) and so is a verbal phrase.
December 2, 2025 at 12:17 AM
So without the context of a main clause "behaving like Reeves" is adverbial as it answers the question how is Reeves behaving.
"Behaving likes Reeves is/does/is doing"includes the auxiliary verb (or two) and so is a verbal phrase.
"Behaving likes Reeves is/does/is doing"includes the auxiliary verb (or two) and so is a verbal phrase.
The present particple requires an auxiliary verb to be a verbal phrase one can't say "I speaking" it's "I am speaking"
We do use the present particple on its own in a verbal sense but only as part of a dependent clause.
We do use the present particple on its own in a verbal sense but only as part of a dependent clause.
December 2, 2025 at 12:16 AM
The present particple requires an auxiliary verb to be a verbal phrase one can't say "I speaking" it's "I am speaking"
We do use the present particple on its own in a verbal sense but only as part of a dependent clause.
We do use the present particple on its own in a verbal sense but only as part of a dependent clause.
Semantically I think we can all accept speaking dishonestly can mean lying or misleading so yes it's a very subtle distinction which as Widders pointed out most solvers wouldn't notice or care about if they did notice.
But...
But...
December 2, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Semantically I think we can all accept speaking dishonestly can mean lying or misleading so yes it's a very subtle distinction which as Widders pointed out most solvers wouldn't notice or care about if they did notice.
But...
But...
Well, I shall continue to reply with a GRR when you don't avoid one.
It's the least I can do.
It's the least I can do.
December 1, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Well, I shall continue to reply with a GRR when you don't avoid one.
It's the least I can do.
It's the least I can do.
4. An "adjectival" (from point 2) could potentially modify either a noun or a verb.
5. If it modifies a noun it's acting as an adjective.
6. If it modifies a verb it's acting as an adverb
7. Here "like Reeves" is modifying behaving and hence is adverbial.
5. If it modifies a noun it's acting as an adjective.
6. If it modifies a verb it's acting as an adverb
7. Here "like Reeves" is modifying behaving and hence is adverbial.
December 1, 2025 at 11:50 PM
4. An "adjectival" (from point 2) could potentially modify either a noun or a verb.
5. If it modifies a noun it's acting as an adjective.
6. If it modifies a verb it's acting as an adverb
7. Here "like Reeves" is modifying behaving and hence is adverbial.
5. If it modifies a noun it's acting as an adjective.
6. If it modifies a verb it's acting as an adverb
7. Here "like Reeves" is modifying behaving and hence is adverbial.
Yeah I've noticed that myself.
December 1, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Yeah I've noticed that myself.
I was keeping it simple to start whether a phrase is adjectival or adverbial depends on what it is modifying.
December 1, 2025 at 11:33 PM
I was keeping it simple to start whether a phrase is adjectival or adverbial depends on what it is modifying.
Just giving in to the zeitgeist. Even Azed has used a few that could be considered questionable.
December 1, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Just giving in to the zeitgeist. Even Azed has used a few that could be considered questionable.
I solemnly swear I won't be when you send a puzzle in. 😉
December 1, 2025 at 11:27 PM
I solemnly swear I won't be when you send a puzzle in. 😉
Let's do this in a few steps. Can we agree on the following?
1. the definition is "behaving like Reeves".
2. "Like Reeves" is adjectival.
3. Behaving is a verb form - specifically a present participle of the verb to behave.
Ok so far?
1. the definition is "behaving like Reeves".
2. "Like Reeves" is adjectival.
3. Behaving is a verb form - specifically a present participle of the verb to behave.
Ok so far?
December 1, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Let's do this in a few steps. Can we agree on the following?
1. the definition is "behaving like Reeves".
2. "Like Reeves" is adjectival.
3. Behaving is a verb form - specifically a present participle of the verb to behave.
Ok so far?
1. the definition is "behaving like Reeves".
2. "Like Reeves" is adjectival.
3. Behaving is a verb form - specifically a present participle of the verb to behave.
Ok so far?
I like to be encouraging to minute cryptic fans - cos I'm a diamond (singular) geezer.
December 1, 2025 at 11:15 PM
I like to be encouraging to minute cryptic fans - cos I'm a diamond (singular) geezer.
Semantically that makes sense, grammatically it should be ...he behaves like Reeves does/did.
December 1, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Semantically that makes sense, grammatically it should be ...he behaves like Reeves does/did.