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Tanit Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Her husband of three years
Hi,
I came across this sentence in an article from the BBC website:
At first, I was wondering if this sentence is correct as it stands, because my first reading was that "of" should have been "for" (i.e. she had prayed for three years).
After re-reading it, I've come to the conclusion that she's been married to her husband for three years. Is this correct? (A http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%22her+husband+of++*%22+site%3A*.uk&sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1B2GGFB_enIT228IT228from British websites only, so I now assume "her husband of X years" is quite common).
If it is, is the meaning straightforward to native speakers or is there any room for misunderstanding?
Thank you.
(I am quite embarrassed to admit that my very first impression, immediately rejected, was that she could have possibly been married to a three-year old toddler.
)
I came across this sentence in an article from the BBC website:
(context here).
Mrs Conway, who was discharged from hospital a week ago, revealed she had prayed for a child with her husband of three years.
At first, I was wondering if this sentence is correct as it stands, because my first reading was that "of" should have been "for" (i.e. she had prayed for three years).
After re-reading it, I've come to the conclusion that she's been married to her husband for three years. Is this correct? (A http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%22her+husband+of++*%22+site%3A*.uk&sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1B2GGFB_enIT228IT228from British websites only, so I now assume "her husband of X years" is quite common).
If it is, is the meaning straightforward to native speakers or is there any room for misunderstanding?
Thank you.
(I am quite embarrassed to admit that my very first impression, immediately rejected, was that she could have possibly been married to a three-year old toddler.
)Top answer
Yes, it is a common way of expressing this (though I enjoyed your first impression). I think it only works with wives and husbands, though-- when I try to substitute daughters, bosses, pets and cars, it doesn't work.
- Yes, it is a common way of expressing this (though I enjoyed your first impression).
- I think it only works with wives and husbands, though-- when I try to substitute daughters, bosses, pets and cars, it doesn't work.
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8 Answers
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Yes, it is a common way of expressing this (though I enjoyed your first impression). I think it only works with wives and husbands, though-- when I try to substitute daughters, bosses, pets and cars, it doesn't work.
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Curious that you find it only in British sites. I've heard it in the US all my life, although I've always assumed it to be upper register.
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Hi Avangi,
I appreciate that my sentence ("A google-based search y
AvangiCurious that you find it only in British sites.I found it in British websites only because I restricted my search to domains ending in "*.uk". This was my query: "her husband of * years" site:*.uk
I appreciate that my sentence ("A google-based search y
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I think your reasoning is sound. Actually there was nothing ambiguous about your post. My brain is atrophied, and sometimes jumps to conclusions.
If on some occasion you wish to balance BrE and AmE you can tweak Google accordingly, or use the respective corpuses (or corpses.) Amy is infinitely more adept than I with these skills.
If on some occasion you wish to balance BrE and AmE you can tweak Google accordingly, or use the respective corpuses (or corpses.) Amy is infinitely more adept than I with these skills.
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Thanks for the vote of confidence, Avangi.
I do prefer to use the BNC and COCA rather than Google as sources for examples
I do prefer to use the BNC and COCA rather than Google as sources for examples
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Thanks, Avangi and Yankee. [F]
I've seldom made use of the corpuses, although their URLs have been posted more than once in the forums. I'm probably too lazy and too used to Ms Google ... but you are right, they seem to be much more reliable. I really need to make an effort to ged rid of my bad habits, LOL.
I've seldom made use of the corpuses, although their URLs have been posted more than once in the forums. I'm probably too lazy and too used to Ms Google ... but you are right, they seem to be much more reliable. I really need to make an effort to ged rid of my bad habits, LOL.
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