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Wholegrain Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
Did I understand this extract?
FULL EXTRACT
"Ah, Mr. Roberts, I trust you are not one of those business men, who make a business of never having to do with unfortunates. For God's sake don't leave me. I have something on my heart--on my heart. Under deplorable circumstances thrown among strangers, utter strangers. I want a friend in whom I may confide. Yours, Mr. Roberts, is almost the first known face I've seen for many weeks."
"It was so sudden an outburst; the interview offered such a contrast to the scene around, that the merchant, though not used to be very indiscreet, yet, being not entirely inhumane, remained not entirely unmoved."
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Did I understand well?
It was so sudden an outburst; the interview offered such a contrast to the scene around, that the merchant, though not used to be very indiscreet[=used to be little indiscreet], yet, being not entirely inhumane[=being a little humane], remained not entirely unmoved.
Can we also say: "(...) though not used to be very indiscreet and being not entirely inhumane(...)"
and "(...) though not used to be very indiscreet, yet being not entirely inhumane(...)"?????
Well, I don't think we can say the former though, it seems the second proposition is contradicting the first statement.
"Ah, Mr. Roberts, I trust you are not one of those business men, who make a business of never having to do with unfortunates. For God's sake don't leave me. I have something on my heart--on my heart. Under deplorable circumstances thrown among strangers, utter strangers. I want a friend in whom I may confide. Yours, Mr. Roberts, is almost the first known face I've seen for many weeks."
"It was so sudden an outburst; the interview offered such a contrast to the scene around, that the merchant, though not used to be very indiscreet, yet, being not entirely inhumane, remained not entirely unmoved."
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Did I understand well?
It was so sudden an outburst; the interview offered such a contrast to the scene around, that the merchant, though not used to be very indiscreet[=used to be little indiscreet], yet, being not entirely inhumane[=being a little humane], remained not entirely unmoved.
Can we also say: "(...) though not used to be very indiscreet and being not entirely inhumane(...)"
and "(...) though not used to be very indiscreet, yet being not entirely inhumane(...)"?????
Well, I don't think we can say the former though, it seems the second proposition is contradicting the first statement.
Top answer
I can understand why you're not sure you understand. I'm not sure I do, either . It is a jumble of negatives that is very confusing.
- I can understand why you're not sure you understand.
- I'm not sure I do, either .
- It is a jumble of negatives that is very confusing.
- It sounds like it was written by a politician, trying to avoid any absolute statements.
- " Here's my interpretation: The merchant is usually discreet, but also somewhat humane, so he was somewhat moved.
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2 Answers
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I can understand why you're not sure you understand. I'm not sure I do, either. It is a jumble of negatives that is very confusing. It sounds like it was written by a politician, trying to avoid any absolute statements. Something like using "We are not entirely unapologetic" to say "we are sorry."
Here's my interpretation:
The merchant is usually discreet, but also som
Here's my interpretation:
The merchant is usually discreet, but also som
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Does he mean because he was used to being discreet, he was able to stay apathetic most of the time, but because he was still human, he was moved?
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