Looking for the Agent.

Pos   Tue Jan 31, 2006 3:06 am GMT
In "the system burst a pipe", what is the Agent?
Guest   Tue Jan 31, 2006 9:07 am GMT
Bond, James Bond... 007?
Pos   Tue Jan 31, 2006 9:58 am GMT
<Bond, James Bond... 007? >

Do you have anythying to contribute regarding language learning?
HelMel   Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:59 am GMT
the system is the agent, the pipe - oblect
M56   Tue Jan 31, 2006 1:54 pm GMT
What's an "oblect"? ;-))
M56   Tue Jan 31, 2006 4:59 pm GMT
<the system is the agent, the pipe - oblect >

Did the system act alone?
Guest   Wed Feb 01, 2006 7:17 am GMT
>>In "the system burst a pipe", what is the Agent?<<

The agent is the 'System' this was the agent for the pipe to burst.

Another example
The computer was broken due to moisture

The agent in this case was 'moisture' as this was the agent to the computer's problem
Damian   Wed Feb 01, 2006 10:45 am GMT
My favourite Agent is Scully.

Agent James Bond is OK but he has too many different faces. At least Scully is consistent.
Guest   Wed Feb 01, 2006 11:35 am GMT
Scully...yeah, too not bad, I'd hit it. (half thumb up)
JJM   Wed Feb 01, 2006 12:25 pm GMT
Playing the "philosophy of linguistics game" here too eh, Metal56?

Recusant
Guest   Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:48 am GMT
<Playing the "philosophy of linguistics game" here too eh, Metal56?

Recusant >

Remind me, what was your answer to the thread question? I must have missed it.
M56   Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:57 am GMT
<JJM Wed Feb 01, 2006 12:25 pm GMT
Playing the "philosophy of linguistics game" here too eh, Metal56?

Recusant >

Try looking up the word "semantics", Rish.
Pete   Mon Feb 06, 2006 1:47 am GMT
<<>>In "the system burst a pipe", what is the Agent?<<

The agent is the 'System' this was the agent for the pipe to burst. >>

'System' is not an agent, it's a noun. Besides, that sentence is in the active voice so The system can't be an agent but the Subject of that sentence.

The Agent is only present in the passive voice. something like:

A pipe was burst by the system.

There you have 'system' working as an agent in that passive sentence. However, the sentence itself sounds a bit odd. You can't always use the passive voice with all sentences.

They produce wine in France. (ACTIVE)
Wine is produced by the French. (PASSIVE) OK

We all like Football. (ACTIVE)
Football is liked by us all. (PASSIVE) A bit strange, but it may be correct in certain contexts. Anyway...

Pete
M56   Mon Feb 06, 2006 7:18 am GMT
<'System' is not an agent, it's a noun.>

agent: Linguistics The noun or noun phrase that specifies the person through whom or the means by which an action is effected.

<The Agent is only present in the passive voice.>

It is most commonly used in the passive voice, but can be found in other constructions.
Miss Moneypenny   Mon Feb 06, 2006 9:09 am GMT
Yes James. You rang?