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Taka Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

at the turn

What is a car but a modern version of a magic carpet, ready to take its passengers wherever they command at the turn of a key?

Which does 'at the turn of a key' refer to; '(to) take its passengers' or 'they command'?
  

Top answer

Hi Taka, I'd say '.. take its passengers'. Consider a slightly reworded sentence: What is a car but a modern version of a magic carpet, ready to take its passengers to Tokyo at the turn of a key?

— Clive

  • Hi Taka, I'd say '..
  • take its passengers'.
  • Consider a slightly reworded sentence: What is a car but a modern version of a magic carpet, ready to take its passengers to Tokyo at the turn of a key?
  • Clive
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5 Answers
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Hi Taka,

I'd say '.. take its passengers'. Consider a slightly reworded sentence:

What is a car but a modern version of a magic carpet, ready to take its passengers to Tokyo at the turn of a key?

Clive

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Thank you, Clive!
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Isn't a comma missing after they command ?
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No. There is no comma there in the original text.
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Hmm. I wonder whether we could read it as an adverbial modifying "ready":

"...ready, at the turn of a key, to take..."

I suppose the phrase is intended to recall typical "Arabian Nights" phrases such as "in the twinkling of an eye", etc.

MrP
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