Dear Terry
There is some possible confusion about word functions. The examples you offer about "design" are in need of elaboration.
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***** As a noun?for example, ?the design of the Eiffel Tower?.
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This is in fact a noun phrase that implies the noun proper is the Eiffel Tower - the design is a quality of the Eiffel Tower such that the phrase is actually ambiguous - is it about the "design" which is the "design of the Eiffel Tower" which would be a noun? Or, is it about the Eiffel Tower's design (one of the features of the tower - like the Tower's bolts.
Then there would be the proper noun - Design (as a field of study for example)
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** As a verb?for example, ?vehicle engineers design cars?.
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This example points out the verb hidden inside all nouns in English. The indefinite tense indicates that the verb aspects are somewhat tempered by the conceptual nature - thus it is not a full verb as in "Keith designed an argument."
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As an adjective?for example, ?a design problem?.
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This is not really an ad-noun structure - it is more a composite noun such that a hyphen should be used "a design-problem". If you reconstruct the meaning you get "a problem with the design" or "a problem that arises in the designing". More aspects of the verb.
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* As an adverb?for example, ?design computing?.
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This is a composite noun. I'd like to see an adverb use for "design" maybe "designerly digging"? "how designly loved the man the woman he designed"
The effort to reduce confusion is something I'm sure we all seek - sometimes we have to get way more confused before a glimmer of new clarity becomes possible.
all the best
keith russell
OZ Newcastle
>>> Terence Love <[log in to unmask]> 09/28/04 19:59 PM >>>
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