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Lit candles\Lighting candles?

CharmYou

CharmYou

Ireland

In the lesson Candles:


Amanda:  I know… it’s the best part. And you know what’s the sign of a nice romantic date? Lit candles.


I don’t understand why Amanda says “Lit candles”, meaning happening in the past? Or candles that are being lit? Can I say “lighting candles” instead?

01:56 PM Apr 19 2014 |

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Teacher AmySuper Member!

United States

In English, we can sometimes use the past participle of a verb the same way we use an adjective, to describe a noun.


Here are a couple examples:


“The singer talked to her excited fans” (i.e. the fans who were excited).


“We couldn’t drive the wrecked car” (i.e. the car that was wrecked).


Amanda thinks that a date is romantic when there are lit candles in the room (i.e. candles that have already been lit). The candles were lit in the past, but they are still burning at the time of the date, so we can describe them as lit candles.


Best,


Amy

08:26 PM Apr 19 2014 |

CharmYou

CharmYou

Ireland

Thanks

02:59 AM Apr 20 2014 |