0
NL888 Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Does the sentence sound natural?

Linton had slid from his seat on to the hearthstone, and lay writhing in the mere perverseness of an indulged plague of a child, determined to be as grievous and harassing as it can.
  

Top answer

No; it is too stilted and is off the mark in word choice. Linton had slid from his seat onto the hearth stone and lay writhing like a spoiled child, determined to be as fractious as he could.

— Mister Micawber

  • No; it is too stilted and is off the mark in word choice.
  • Linton had slid from his seat onto the hearth stone and lay writhing like a spoiled child, determined to be as fractious as he could.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

4 Answers
0
No; it is too stilted and is off the mark in word choice.

Linton had slid from his seat onto the hearthstone and lay writhing like a spoiled child, determined to be as fractious as he could.
0
0
It makes sense, but it is not typical idiomatic modern English. It may have sounded natural back in the 1840s when it was written.
0
0
Blue Jay It may have sounded natural back in the 1840s when it was written.
Ah, maybe Classic Comics will hire me.
0
0
Mister MicawberLinton had slid from his seat onto the hearthstone and lay writhing like a spoiled child, determined to be as fractious as he could.
I think your version is more readable than Bronte's original. What a pity she didn't have internet access and couldn't post her writing here for review.
0

Related Questions