2

I don't want to stay out here being bitten by insects

What does the above sentence (especially adverbial participle clause) mean?

Does it have a continuous meaning like,

  1. After I am/was being bitten by insects, I don't want stay out here.
  2. because I am being bitten by insects, I don't...
  3. while/when I am being bitten by insects, I don't...
1
  • 1
    Read it as: "I don't want to stay out here [where I am] being bitten by insects."
    – Jim
    Commented Dec 12, 2014 at 3:55

2 Answers 2

1

Yes, it does have a continuous meaning. If you are being bitten by insects you are being bitten repeatedly.

1

"I don't want to stay out here being bitten by insects".

We can use a present participle to replace "as, because or since + subject + verb" to express the cause or reason for an action. In the sentence, being bitten has been used to mean "as I am bitten".

In other words, the sentence means "I don't want to stay out here as I am bitten by insects. I think the meaning of the sentence is quite clear. However, the sentences # 1 and 3 sound incorrect to interpret the sense of the sentence in question.

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .