On Mon, 21 Jan 2002, Matt M. wrote:
> > a)
> > > The pages yellowed.
> >
> > I think `yellowed' is a valid word, but not the past tense of a verb. That
> > sentence sounds wrong, but `the pages were/had yellowed' is fine, at least
> > to me.
>
> But I've heard of old newspapers yellowing away in a corner.
True. Maybe it's a special word?
> > d)
> > > I'll black the answers out. Then you can look.
> >
> > The verb in that sentence is `to black out', not `to black'.
>
> But I've heard of "Dickens' actor who blacked himself all over to play
> Othello" - D. Parker.
That's sounds poetical, not something I'd expect in prose.
Tristan