Re: systemd fails to poweroff - "A stop job is running for Session 2 of user $USER"
On 20140814_1035-0400, Tom H wrote:
> On Thu, Aug 14, 2014 at 1:04 AM, Paul E Condon
> <pecondon@mesanetworks.net> wrote:
> >
> > In English, both 'stop job' and 'stopped job' are an adjective
> > modifying a noun. The noun in both cases is 'job'. 'stop job' is a
> > noun phrase expressing a type of job, and must be some kind of geeky
> > usage. OTOH, the noun phrase 'stopped job' is a job that is not
> > progressing, or not running. But in this context, 'job' must itself
> > have a geeky, technical jargon meaning.
>
> I don't understand why you've got a bee under your bonnet because of
> the "stop job" phrase!
>
> "Stop" in "stop job" isn't an adjective, it's a noun (or an
> attributive noun) just like "office" in "office chair."
>
I wasn't aware of the existence of the term 'attributive noun' until
you used it. It wasn't taught in my H.S. English class in 1949. At
least, I don't remember it being taught. Google gives several
descriptions of what it means that boil down to 'a noun that can be
used as an adjective,' or 'a noun that is being used as an adjective.'
I haven't yet understood why the distinction between 'attributive noun'
and 'adjective' is important. Is it yet another independent part of
speech? Distinct from both 'noun' and 'adjective'? But honestly, I
don't think I would understand an explanation. English is a very
irregular language, and rules of grammar are an attempt at regularity,
which contradicts the spirit of the language.
Best regards,
--
Paul E Condon
pecondon@mesanetworks.net
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