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Park sang joon Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
Demurring to take seats
This novel is set in a Chinese village before World War One.
The protagonist Wang Lung lives with his father.
Today is Wang Lung's wedding day.
He invited some people to his house.
Here the woman refers to his bride-to-be.
After they had been seated about the middle room with demurring and unwillingness to take seats, for politeness, Wang Lung went into the kitchen to bid the woman serve.
[The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck]
I'd like to know if "demurring to do something," "demur to do something" are idiomatic.
Thank you in advance for your help.
The protagonist Wang Lung lives with his father.
Today is Wang Lung's wedding day.
He invited some people to his house.
Here the woman refers to his bride-to-be.
After they had been seated about the middle room with demurring and unwillingness to take seats, for politeness, Wang Lung went into the kitchen to bid the woman serve.
[The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck]
I'd like to know if "demurring to do something," "demur to do something" are idiomatic.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Top answer
No, they are just standard dictionary meanings, although the whole text has an old-fashioned tone.
- No, they are just standard dictionary meanings, although the whole text has an old-fashioned tone.
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8 Answers
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No, they are just standard dictionary meanings, although the whole text has an old-fashioned tone.
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Thank you, Clive, for your so very helpful answer. 
Then I was wondering if I can say either "demurring to do something," or "de
Then I was wondering if I can say either "demurring to do something," or "de
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Or I'd like to know whether or not "demurring" takes "to take seats" in the op.
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Thank you, Clive, for your continuing support.
I'm so sorry for my ignorance.
I'm so sorry for my ignorance.
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I parse this particular sentence this way,
After they had been seated about the middle room with [ demurring ] and [ unwillingness to take seats ], for politeness, **** Lung went into the kitchen to bid the woman serve.
After they had been seated about the middle room with [ demurring ] and [ unwillingness to take seats ], for politeness, **** Lung went into the kitchen to bid the woman serve.
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Demur is usually used in a simple way, in a context where a request or suggestion is stated and then politely refused.
eg I asked her to marry me, but she demurred.
eg I asked her to marry me, but she demurred.
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