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Komountain Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
(a) torch in hand
Which one would you use?
(1) He came running, torch in hand.
(2) He came running, a torch in hand.
I saw (1). I wonder if (2) is also acceptable.
If both are correct, check the following sentences as well, please.
(3) He was gawking at the sky, pen between his fingers.
(4) He was walking down the street, umbrella under his arm.
(5) He was gazing at me, basket full of blackberries slung over his shoulder.
Are (3), (4), and (5) all correct?
Now, if I use the preposition 'with' do I have to put 'a(n)' or can I still omit it?
(6) He came running with a torch in hand.
(7) He came running with torch in hand.
I somehow feel (7) is incorrect.
Waiting for your expertise.
Thanks.
(1) He came running, torch in hand.
(2) He came running, a torch in hand.
I saw (1). I wonder if (2) is also acceptable.
If both are correct, check the following sentences as well, please.
(3) He was gawking at the sky, pen between his fingers.
(4) He was walking down the street, umbrella under his arm.
(5) He was gazing at me, basket full of blackberries slung over his shoulder.
Are (3), (4), and (5) all correct?
Now, if I use the preposition 'with' do I have to put 'a(n)' or can I still omit it?
(6) He came running with a torch in hand.
(7) He came running with torch in hand.
I somehow feel (7) is incorrect.
Waiting for your expertise.
Thanks.
Top answer
Adverbial Phrase 'with a torch in his hand': He came running with a torch in his hand. Step 1 Reduction (reason redundancy: 'He' ~ 'his') He came running with a torch in hand. Step 2 Reduction (reason redundancy: 'with' implies adverbial function as does the structure) He came running, a torch in hand.
- Adverbial Phrase 'with a torch in his hand': He came running with a torch in his hand.
- Step 1 Reduction (reason redundancy: 'He' ~ 'his') He came running with a torch in hand.
- Step 2 Reduction (reason redundancy: 'with' implies adverbial function as does the structure) He came running, a torch in hand.
- A torch in hand, he came running.
- Speakers tend to omit the article, though: He came running, torch in hand.
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2 Answers
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Adverbial Phrase 'with a torch in his hand':
He came running with a torch in his hand.
Step 1
Reduction (reason redundancy: 'He' ~ 'his')
He came running with a torch in hand.
Step 2
Reduction (reason redundancy: 'with' implies adverbial function as does the structure)
He came running, a torch in hand.
A torch in hand, he came running.
He came running with a torch in his hand.
Step 1
Reduction (reason redundancy: 'He' ~ 'his')
He came running with a torch in hand.
Step 2
Reduction (reason redundancy: 'with' implies adverbial function as does the structure)
He came running, a torch in hand.
A torch in hand, he came running.
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'He came running, torch in hand.'-- We know automatically what torch the writer/speaker is referring to; it is part of the ensemble.
'He came running, the torch in his hand.' -- this is a previously mentioned or singular torch, but is not part of the image.
'He came running, a torch in his hand.'-- the torch is a surprise.
'He came running, the torch in his hand.' -- this is a previously mentioned or singular torch, but is not part of the image.
'He came running, a torch in his hand.'-- the torch is a surprise.
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