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While I understand the verb "feel" is often followed by -ed adjectives when talking about emotional states, "lured" itself is not an adjective. So I am not sure what to make of the following sentences:

  • I feel lured by the chance to start over again.

  • He felt cheated.

  • I feel deceived by the leaders of our community.

Are lured, cheated, and deceived verbs or adjectives in these sentences?

Thank you for any insight you can provide.

user451485
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  • Why do you think lured is not an adjective in this sentence? Not all adjectives can appear in attributive positions. We can say he was asleep but not the asleep man. Does that mean asleep is a not an adjective? – Peter Shor Apr 21 '22 at 13:32
  • Trying to understand the question, I guess "lured by the chance to start over again" sounds like a passive with an agent, while "I feel happy" doesn't seem to have the same structure. But it's possible to have an adjective accompanied by a prepositional clause ("The sword was red with the blood of his enemies", "He felt sad with all his responsibilities"). I think someone here has a standard speech about how "adjective" is a role or function, not a class of words. – Stuart F Apr 21 '22 at 14:05
  • Welcome! The words in question are participular forms of verbs, functioning as adjectives. In this context, yes, the word "lured" is an adjective ("adjectival," if it makes anyone feel better). We can make similar constructions in all kinds of contexts: "The paper looked wrinkled," "the house smelled mildewed," "the chicken tasted burnt." (or "burned.") Voting to close as based on a misunderstanding. – Andy Bonner Apr 21 '22 at 14:16
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    @Andy Bonner I think the CGEL analysis is that once a by-phrase (showing agency, volitional or not) is added, this forces the [verb] analysis. I think I remember that otherwise 'traditional participle adjectives' are considered indeterminate. – Edwin Ashworth Apr 21 '22 at 14:58
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    @EdwinAshworth Hm, so maybe there's a difference between the second ("He felt cheated") and the others which include "... by ___"? That seems like an answer... – Andy Bonner Apr 21 '22 at 15:02
  • @Andy Bonner I'm dredging up what I read in a previous answer to a near-identical question. Duplicate. – Edwin Ashworth Apr 21 '22 at 15:26
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    Does this answer your question? Devastated - verb or adjective – Edwin Ashworth Apr 21 '22 at 15:28

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