can someone break this down

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

I am trying to help someone that is just learning the english language. She wrote the following sentence, and asked me why it is correct.

Mark, has this been taken care of?

I am not so sure it’s correct myself. Can someone please correct it, or grammatically break it down?

Thanks

2

Hi big wan,

The sentence is perfectly OK.

Mark’s wife Mathilda: You know our guests will be here in an hour, and I told you to get that Chardonnay to go with the soup. Mark, has this been taken care of?
Mark: Yes, it has indeed been taken care of. I bought it just before the shops closed.

It’s a present perfect situation (‘has been’) because Mathilda is interested in an action that should have taken place in the past and has an effect on the present. She could have asked “Have you or have you not bought the Chardonnay?” or “Is the Chardonnay here or not?”, but her wording shows greater eloquence :slight_smile:

3

Hi big wan

That’s an odd question. :lol:
What makes you think it is not correct? It looks fine to me.

  • It’s a question addressed to someone named Mark.
  • The subject of the sentence is ‘this’.
  • The verb form is present perfect, passive voice.
  • The verb used in the sentence is an inseparable phrasal verb (take care of).
    .
    .

    EDIT:
    I see that it looks fine to Ralf, too. I hope you’ve been adequately convinced, big wan. :smiley:
    .
4

I appreciate the help. Yankee, I have definitely been adequately convinced. :smiley: