1. The gate is shut at 7.
2. The gate gets shut at 7.
3. The gate grows shut at 7.
4. The gate becomes shut at 7.
(Are they all the same in meaning?)
5. The gate is shut now.
6. The gate stands shut now.
7. The gate lies shut now.
8. The gate remains shut now.
9. The gate rests shut now.
(Are they all grammatical? Are they the same in meaning?)
1 and 2 are fine.
3 and 4 have impossible verbs, thus making no sense.
5 and 8 are the best of the next set of sentences. The others are a bit strange, but the meaning comes through.
1. The gate is shut at 7. - This sentence suggests that the gate is closed specifically at 7 o'clock. It indicates a specific time at which the gate is closed.
2. The gate gets shut at 7. - This sentence is similar in meaning to the first one. It also suggests that the gate is closed at 7 o'clock. Here, "gets" is used as a verb of action, indicating that the gate is actively being closed at that time.
3. The gate grows shut at 7. - This sentence implies a gradual process of closure. It suggests that the gate slowly and progressively closes until it is shut at 7 o'clock.
4. The gate becomes shut at 7. - This sentence indicates a change or transformation in the status of the gate. It suggests that the gate was previously open and then at 7 o'clock, it transforms or changes into a state of being shut.
In terms of meaning, sentences 1, 2, and 4 convey a similar idea but with different phrasing. Sentence 3 presents a slightly different sense of closure, emphasizing a gradual process.
Moving on to the second set of sentences:
5. The gate is shut now. - This sentence simply states that the gate is currently closed. It does not provide any specific information about when it was closed.
6. The gate stands shut now. - This sentence conveys the idea that the gate is firmly closed or fixed in a shut position at the moment.
7. The gate lies shut now. - This sentence suggests that the gate is in a state of being closed, placed horizontally or resting in a closed position.
8. The gate remains shut now. - This sentence implies that the gate was closed before the present moment and continues to be closed at the present time. It carries a sense of continuity in the closed state.
9. The gate rests shut now. - This sentence is similar to sentence 7, indicating that the gate is in a state of being closed, possibly in a relaxed or resting position.
All of the sentences 5-9 are grammatically correct. Although there are subtle differences in phrasing and implications, they generally convey the same meaning: the gate is currently closed.