in past + noun (past used as an adjective) ; in the past (past used as a noun)
Explanation:
1 - Do the British also say 'in past' as a substitute for the US expression 'in the past'?
Without the definite article, and when before a noun, the word “past” is an adjective. When the article is there, the word “past” is being used as a noun.
Here’s an extract from Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (US). British English does not differ on this point.
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary
Main Entry: 1past
Pronunciation: 'past
Function: ADJECTIVE
Etymology: Middle English, from past participle of passen to pass
Date: 14th century
1 a : AGO <12 years past> b : just gone or elapsed <for the past few months>
2 : having existed or taken place in a period before the present : BYGONE
3 : of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense that is expressive of elapsed time and that in English is usually formed by internal vowel change (as in sang) or by the addition of a suffix (as in laughed)
4 : having served as a specified officer in an organization <past president>
Main Entry: 3past
Function: NOUN
Date: 1590
1 a : time gone by b : something that happened or was done in the past <regret the past>
2 a : the past tense of a language b : a verb form in the past tense
3 : a past life, history, or course of action; especially : one that is kept secret
2 - Or, is 'in future' a British oddity that does not correspond to a general pattern?
The basic adjective/noun rule is the same as with the word “past”.
However, in the sense of "from now on" as in Alison R's question here : http://www.proz.com/kudoz/199356, then of course, the expression "in future" (meaning from now on) need not take the article, particularly when used as a sort of warning. Used this way it is an adverb.
http://www.bartleby.com/110/121.html
ADVERB: PROSPECTIVELY, hereafter, in future; on the knees of the gods; kal [Hind.], to-morrow, the day after tomorrow; in course of time, in process of time, in the fullness of time; eventually, ultimately, sooner or later; proximo; paulo post futurum [L.]; in after time; one of these days; after a time, after a while. FROM THIS TIME; henceforth, henceforwards; thence; thenceforth, thenceforward; whereupon, upon which. SOON (early) [See Earliness]; on the eve of, on the point of, on the brink of; about to; close upon.
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/internet-grammar/adverbs/xadvb1.htm
“…some words denoting time intervals (daily, weekly, monthly), can also be adverbs or adjectives, depending on how they are used.”
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/internet-grammar/adverbs/xadvb1.htm
Your answers were:</TR< TD>
3a. This exercise is harder than I thought = Adjective
3b. I hope you'll try harder in future = Adverb
4a. The Times is published daily = Adverb
4b. The Times is a daily newspaper = Adjective
Review
In this exercise, most of the adjectives are in attributive position, that is, they occur before the noun which they modify. The attributive adjectives are: 1b late2a fast4b daily5a best -- superlative formIn 3a, harder is a comparative adjective, and it is in predicative position, following the verb is - this exercise is harder than I thought. Adverbs convey information about verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Here, all the adverbs convey information about a verb. 2b fast -- notice that this adverb is itself modified by the degree adverb too3b harder -- comparative form4a daily5b best -- superlative form
Reference: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/internet-grammar/home.htm
Reference: http://www.m-w.com
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peer agreement (net): +1
