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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary
Along (fly along, carry along)
Hello,
One of the most difficult things to learn about English language is the correct use of adverbs (and prepositions), in my opinion.
For example:
"The raft flew along at a speed I couldn't calculate it." The person who says this was in the raft.
Few lines later:
"We have been carried along with indescribable rapidity."
Both sentences can be found in the book: "Journey to the centre of the earth."
As far as I know, we use the adverb along with verbs that convey movement, such as the ones in the examples, or for example the verb "to come". When you say "come along" you are saying something like "come with us", aren't you?
Does this mean we use "along" with these verbs when we are meaning to convey a movement in which we (maybe with someone else) are involved?.
I don't have it very clear. what is the use of using "along" accompanying those verbs in my examples?. May it (also) be a figure of speech?Something typical in old literature?
Any help would be appreciate it. Thank you very much in advance.
Regards,
Jose
One of the most difficult things to learn about English language is the correct use of adverbs (and prepositions), in my opinion.
For example:
"The raft flew along at a speed I couldn't calculate it." The person who says this was in the raft.
Few lines later:
"We have been carried along with indescribable rapidity."
Both sentences can be found in the book: "Journey to the centre of the earth."
As far as I know, we use the adverb along with verbs that convey movement, such as the ones in the examples, or for example the verb "to come". When you say "come along" you are saying something like "come with us", aren't you?
Does this mean we use "along" with these verbs when we are meaning to convey a movement in which we (maybe with someone else) are involved?.
I don't have it very clear. what is the use of using "along" accompanying those verbs in my examples?. May it (also) be a figure of speech?Something typical in old literature?
Any help would be appreciate it. Thank you very much in advance.
Regards,
Jose
Top answer
'Along' emphasizes the continuous length/extent of the movement; it does not depend on the participants.
- 'Along' emphasizes the continuous length/extent of the movement; it does not depend on the participants.
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5 Answers
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'Along' emphasizes the continuous length/extent of the movement; it does not depend on the participants.
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Thank you.
But in the examples I have displayed the lenght/extent of the movement hasn't been expressed, talked about.
Would it mean the movement last for quite a long time?
Then, could I say, instead, something like:
"The raft flew for a while/long time at a speed.."
"We have been carried for a while/long time..." ?
thank you aga
But in the examples I have displayed the lenght/extent of the movement hasn't been expressed, talked about.
Would it mean the movement last for quite a long time?
Then, could I say, instead, something like:
"The raft flew for a while/long time at a speed.."
"We have been carried for a while/long time..." ?
thank you aga
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It is 'away' that expresses extent, not other context!
You could say those and they would be equivalent, yes, but not as colloquial.
You could say those and they would be equivalent, yes, but not as colloquial.
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hi,
I think I am getting it. I thought the use of "along" in those sentences was quite formal, and not colloquial as you say!
then, if I say : "You can come along with us." Does this imply we are going to do something that is supposed to last at least a while? I mean, we wouldn't ever say that if we were just going to the shop at the corner to buy something, would we?.
I think I am getting it. I thought the use of "along" in those sentences was quite formal, and not colloquial as you say!
then, if I say : "You can come along with us." Does this imply we are going to do something that is supposed to last at least a while? I mean, we wouldn't ever say that if we were just going to the shop at the corner to buy something, would we?.
00
I think I am getting it. I thought the use of "along" in those sentences was quite formal, and not colloquial as you say!-- No, not formal.
then, if I say : "You can come along with us." Does this imply we are going to do something that is supposed to last at least a while? -- No. This is a different 'along'. It is part of an idiom:
then, if I say : "You can come along with us." Does this imply we are going to do something that is supposed to last at least a while? -- No. This is a different 'along'. It is part of an idiom:
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