For reference, there's an entry in 実用日本語表現辞典:
[褒められたものではない](http://www.weblio.jp/content/%E8%A4%92%E3%82%81%E3%82%89%E3%82%8C%E3%81%9F%E3%82%82%E3%81%AE%E3%81%A7%E3%81%AF%E3%81%AA%E3%81%84)
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2017-02-24T06:55:12.520
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2017-02-24T07:51:22.080
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question
grammar tense potential-form aspect
In the phrase 「褒められたものではない」, why is 「褒められた」 in past tense (as opposed to present tense 「褒められる」)?
As is mentioned in the related post linked in the comments above by @broken
headphones, this「た」isn't being used to imply past tense.

Past tense is a common reason for using 「た」, but in this case I think the
following definition from デジタル大辞泉 applies:

[３] 実現していない動作・状態を仮に実現したと考えていう意を表す。

So,

  * 「褒められ **た** ものではない」 

is establishing the hypothetical circumstance of something being
praiseworthy,「褒められたもの」, and then negating that with ではない.

This た might be the same as the た in「～したら」and seems similar to the way the
English Subjunctive Tense often ends up looking like the past tense, like "If
he _was_ taller", etc.

Here are some other ways of using the same construct:

  * その値段では **払えた** ものではない - There's no way (anyone) **would pay** that price
  * 歩いていたら **帰れた** ものではない - There's no way (you) **could walk** back

This grammar is used in giving a very strong and unquestionable opinion in a
_matter-of-fact_ way that whatever it is _could not possibly_ be done.

In both cases the form of the verb used is

> 可能（払{はら} **え** ）+ 完了・仮定（ **た** ）+ ものではない

This is a strong phrase indicating something like 払{はら}うことは到底{とうてい}できない,
emphasizing that there is " _no way_ " that payment is possible.

Using 褒められ **る** ・払え **る** ・帰れ **る** instead of「た」would break the structure
above and the meaning would be difficult to understand.
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2017-02-25T07:18:32.590
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answer