"drearily'

Question

The definition of "dreary" in the Oxford dictionary is: "that makes you feel sad; dull and not interesting".

They have given this example sentence: ‘I didn't get the job,’ he said drearily.

In this context, does "drearily" mean that whoever the man is talking to is feeling sad? Or is it the man who didn't get the job the one that's feeling sad?

Thanks

Fivejedjon · Accepted Answer

It's the man who didn't get the job. The adverb modifies the verb of speaking, not the act of hearing.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you. I'm still stuggling to understand it. According to the definition, the last part of the sentence would read: "He said in a way that makes you feel sad. " I'm not saying you're wrong. I just don't get it.

Fivejedjon · Answer

If something is dreary, itcan make you feel sad.

If you are dreary, you can make others feel sad, but in being dreary, you are downhearted yourself.

In the context of a speaker who has not got a job he wanted, speaking drearily would be a visible sign of his disappontment, his sadness. it wculd also make the listener feel downhearted. My answer to you original question, "Who is feeling sad" is the same. The dreary words might make the listener sad, but would not necessarily do so. The speaker is sad.

"drearily'

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