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Park sang joon Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
An abstract word
The protagonist, Philip moved in with his uncle Mr. Carey, the Vicar of Blackstable after his mother's death.
He goes to the medical school St. Luke's in London.
He fell for a waitress. He goes out with her, but she doesn't like him.
............................................
He gave her little presents, a gold bangle, gloves, handkerchiefs, and the like. He was spending more than he could afford, but he could not help it: it was only when he gave her anything that she showed any affection. She knew the price of everything, and her gratitude was in exact proportion with the value of his gift. He did not care. He was too happy when she volunteered to kiss him to mind by what means he got her demonstrativeness.
[Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham]
I'd like to know why it is "demonstrativeness," not "kiss."
Thank you in advance for your help.
He goes to the medical school St. Luke's in London.
He fell for a waitress. He goes out with her, but she doesn't like him.
............................................
He gave her little presents, a gold bangle, gloves, handkerchiefs, and the like. He was spending more than he could afford, but he could not help it: it was only when he gave her anything that she showed any affection. She knew the price of everything, and her gratitude was in exact proportion with the value of his gift. He did not care. He was too happy when she volunteered to kiss him to mind by what means he got her demonstrativeness.
[Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham]
I'd like to know why it is "demonstrativeness," not "kiss."
Thank you in advance for your help.
Top answer
It is just author's choice. The author used the word that he wanted to use.
- It is just author's choice.
- The author used the word that he wanted to use.
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4 Answers
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It is just author's choice. The author used the word that he wanted to use.
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GPYIt is just author's choice. The author used the word that he wanted to use.An an author of 2016 would choose different words and phrasings than an author of 1915. English has changed markedly in the last century.
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AlpheccaStarsAn an author of 2016 would choose different words and phrasings than an author of 1915. English has changed markedly in the last century.Of course, "demonstrativeness" is a fairly high-register word, but I don't personally notice anything old-fashioned about this choice.
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GPY"demonstrativeness" is a fairly high-register word,I can barely get my tongue around it.
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