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AskAndAnswer Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Betook, proper use of the word
I have a question regarding the word "betook" and the proper use of it.
Example:
A. The birds betook the skies.
B. The birds took to the skies.
Q.1: Do both of these statements have the same meaning? in A. do i have to use "themselves" or can that be assumed? and can A. mean that they conquered the skies?
Q.2: If im trying to say that the birds flew up to the sky, and in doing so, conquered the skies with their presence, would B make sense? or would A make sense? or would another word be better suited for this meaning?
Example:
A. The birds betook the skies.
B. The birds took to the skies.
Q.1: Do both of these statements have the same meaning? in A. do i have to use "themselves" or can that be assumed? and can A. mean that they conquered the skies?
Q.2: If im trying to say that the birds flew up to the sky, and in doing so, conquered the skies with their presence, would B make sense? or would A make sense? or would another word be better suited for this meaning?
Top answer
Betake oneself is a reflexive verb. It is a not used in normal everyday language. Your sentence B simply means that the birds flew up into the sky; there is no suggestion of conquest.
- Betake oneself is a reflexive verb.
- It is a not used in normal everyday language.
- Your sentence B simply means that the birds flew up into the sky; there is no suggestion of conquest.
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3 Answers
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Betake oneself is a reflexive verb. It is a not used in normal everyday language. Your sentence B simply means that the birds flew up into the sky; there is no suggestion of conquest.
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Thanks, so if i wanted to say that one bird flies up to the sky in the present tense, i could say:
Example: The duck takes to the skies.
and if i wanted to use betook, i would be forced to use "themselves or oneself or itself" right after it correct?
example: the bird betakes itself to the skies.
Example: The duck takes to the skies.
and if i wanted to use betook, i would be forced to use "themselves or oneself or itself" right after it correct?
example: the bird betakes itself to the skies.
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AskAndAnswerA. The birds betook the skies.
B. The birds took to the skies.
Q.1: Do both of these statements have the same meaning?In my opinion, they do. - A.
(I agree with fivejedjon's points.)
Edit. I didn't understand fj to say that "to betake" is by itself reflexive. Perha
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