The veil is lifting

Forums: Grammar, English
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Is "The veil is lifting" logically consistent? A veil cannot lift itself bu can be lifted.

Should it be "The veil is being lifted"?

Context:

Builder wrote:

Quote:
Let’s hope to Hell she’s inimitable.

The veil is lifting. It's not just a few bad apples.

The American people deserve a hearty slap on the back for seeing through her charade.

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Type: Question • Score: 2 • Views: 738 • Replies: 7

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View best answer, chosen by oristarA

@oristarA,

It's okay. You'll hear people say, "The fog is lifting", too — and it doesn't lift itself either.

As you can see here, there are many ways to use the word.

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Lift (verb) can be used either transitively or intransitively:

Transitive: to raise somebody/something to a higher position or level.
I lifted the lid of the box.
We lifted the book onto a shelf.

Intransitive: be raised (or move) to a higher position or level.
Her eyebrows lifted.
We watched the balloon lift slowly into the air.

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It's an idiom to say that something is about to be revealed.

People can hide behind a veil. When that veil is lifted, the true self is shown.

The passive voice means that this is being observed by outsiders.

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@centrox,

Yeah, but few American speakers would say "lifting." That could be an Ozzie thing, I dunno. They would probably say "rising" instead. And, put that way, the question doesn't really come up.

"The veil is rising."

Americans generally think of, and use, "lifting" as a transitive verb, almost exclusively.

1 Reply

@layman,

layman wrote:

Americans generally think of, and use, "lifting" as a transitive verb, almost exclusively.

Quote:

Merriam–Webster, Incorporated, is an American company that publishes reference books, especially known for its dictionaries.

In 1828, George and Charles Merriam founded the company as G & C Merriam Co. in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 1843, after Noah Webster died, the company bought the rights to An American Dictionary of the English Language from Webster's estate. All Merriam–Webster dictionaries trace their lineage to this source.

Quote:

intransitive verb
1 a : ascend, rise the rocket lifted off
b : to appear elevated (as above surrounding objects)
2 of inclement weather : to dissipate and clear

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@centrox,

Hmmm, is all that intended to contradict what I said, somehow?

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@layman,

layman wrote:

is all that intended to contradict what I said, somehow?

To balance it and to inform the OP and anyone else curious about the topic.

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The veil is lifting

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