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Angliholic Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

His silent scream probes for a weakness in the sock

He pulls from his pocket the single sock that he has broght along. He bunches it into a ball and sticks it into his mouth ... He lowers himself one more step (down the cellar stairs), seven to go ... one more ... one more ... one more ... his silent scream probes for a weakness in the sock ...

HI,

Does the bolded part in the above mean "his silent scream detects a soft spot in the sock?" Thanks.
  

Top answer

"probes for" means "tries to find (by probing)", not "detects". "a weakness in the sock" means a deficiency in the sock's muffling capability -- anything that would allow a scream to escape.

— Mr Wordy

  • "probes for" means "tries to find (by probing)", not "detects".
  • "a weakness in the sock" means a deficiency in the sock's muffling capability -- anything that would allow a scream to escape.
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3 Answers
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"probes for" means "tries to find (by probing)", not "detects".

"a weakness in the sock" means a deficiency in the sock's muffling capability -- anything that would allow a scream to escape.
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Mr Wordy"probes for" means "tries to find (by probing)", not "detects".

"a weakness in the sock" means a deficiency in the sock's muffling capability -- anything that would allow a scream to escape.


Thanks, Mr Wordy.

To make sure, does "tries to detect a weakness" equal "tries to find a weakness?" For me, there are almost the same. If the
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AngliholicTo make sure, does "tries to detect a weakness" equal "tries to find a weakness?" For me, there are almost the same. If there are differences, what are they?


In this context, "find" and "detect" mean very much the same thing. The words aren't exact synonyms though, nor always interchangeable. "detect" is more technical-sounding and is typi
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