Even if we were two
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In Hemingway’s The old man and the sea, there appears “Even if we were two,“, when there was no one else than the old man himself.
And in Anne of Green Gables, the following passage appears: “She was growing quite a big girl.”
Here, according the context, “She” refers to Anne, there was no other girl than Anne. So, it’s like Anne was growing a girl named Anne.
"There's time enough to think of that," said Marilla. "She's only thirteen in March. Though tonight it struck me she was growing quite a big girl. Mrs. Lynde made that dress a mite too long, and it makes Anne look so tall. She's quick to learn and I guess the best thing we can do for her will be to send her to Queen's after a spell. But nothing need be said about that for a year or two yet." (Anne of Green Gables)
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This kind of usage seems so curious to non-native speakers.
I tried to find similar cases like this but could not.
Is this usage something very unusual?
Is this still being used today?
Top answer
pructus Is this usage something very unusual? Ann of Green Gables is written in Victorian English, which has a rather unique style. The language has changed.
- pructus Is this usage something very unusual?
- Ann of Green Gables is written in Victorian English, which has a rather unique style.
- The language has changed.
- " In Hemmingway's Old Man and the Sea, the old man is talking to himself and the fish, who he has called a brother.
- “Even if we were two" = Even if there were two of us
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pructusIs this usage something very unusual?
Ann of Green Gables is written in Victorian English, which has a rather unique style. The language has changed.
“She was growing to be quite a big girl."
In Hemmingway's Old Man and the Sea, the old man is talking to himself and the fish, who he has called a brother.
“Even if we were t
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