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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Hitchens qoute grammar question
Hello, I have a question about the grammar in this Christoper Hitchens qoute.
In whatever kind of 'race' life may be, I have very abruptly become a finalist
He is talking about his unfortunate cancer, and I was sharing this qoute to my friend and a suprising debate sprang open, not about Hitchens, his famous atheism or his writing, but of this qoute.
My friend claims there is an error in this, and I hope I can explain this correcty.
She thinks that the way the sentence is construted it indicates that its not "I" but "life" that is partictipating in the 'race'".
Is this correct? Why? Why not? I hope I made myself clear, but please forgive me if anyting in unclear. My english is not the best.
Thank you
In whatever kind of 'race' life may be, I have very abruptly become a finalist
He is talking about his unfortunate cancer, and I was sharing this qoute to my friend and a suprising debate sprang open, not about Hitchens, his famous atheism or his writing, but of this qoute.
My friend claims there is an error in this, and I hope I can explain this correcty.
She thinks that the way the sentence is construted it indicates that its not "I" but "life" that is partictipating in the 'race'".
Is this correct? Why? Why not? I hope I made myself clear, but please forgive me if anyting in unclear. My english is not the best.
Thank you
Top answer
The quote seems fine to me. The words whatever kind of 'race' life may be constitute a noun phrase describing a particular type of "race". If all the modifying words are stripped away, the basic structure is: In [this] 'race' , I have very abruptly become a finalist.
- The quote seems fine to me.
- The words whatever kind of 'race' life may be constitute a noun phrase describing a particular type of "race".
- If all the modifying words are stripped away, the basic structure is: In [this] 'race' , I have very abruptly become a finalist.
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2 Answers
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The quote seems fine to me. The words whatever kind of 'race' life may be constitute a noun phrase describing a particular type of "race". If all the modifying words are stripped away, the basic structure is:
In [this] 'race' , I have very abruptly become a finalist.
In [this] 'race' , I have very abruptly become a finalist.
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It compares life with a race. It's saying that life is a race. He's running the race called "life".
A finalist, however, is typically one of only a few who have won several rounds of a competition and are possibly about to win the grand prize. Only one person wins the prize.
In the metaphor established in the quote, the end of the race is the end of life, so that death is equ
A finalist, however, is typically one of only a few who have won several rounds of a competition and are possibly about to win the grand prize. Only one person wins the prize.
In the metaphor established in the quote, the end of the race is the end of life, so that death is equ
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