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Angliholic Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
I was at some pains to ensure
I think you misunderstand old chum. I was at some pains to ensure that this should not be read as an assault on the noble Mr. Verse. Actually my intention was to be a bit self deprecating, although I guess we all may have a little of the poet Sauron lurking in our depths.
Hi,
Is it right to interpret the italic phrase as "I felt some pains to ensure ...?" Thanks.
Hi,
Is it right to interpret the italic phrase as "I felt some pains to ensure ...?" Thanks.
Top answer
Not really. At least, "felt some pains to ensure" is not idiomatic and doesn't mean much to me. The original means that he was keen to ensure it, and made some considerable effort to try to ensure it.
- Not really.
- At least, "felt some pains to ensure" is not idiomatic and doesn't mean much to me.
- The original means that he was keen to ensure it, and made some considerable effort to try to ensure it.
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3 Answers
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Not really. At least, "felt some pains to ensure" is not idiomatic and doesn't mean much to me.
The original means that he was keen to ensure it, and made some considerable effort to try to ensure it.
The original means that he was keen to ensure it, and made some considerable effort to try to ensure it.
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Thanks, Mr. Wordy.
To make sur I get it right, does it mean "he was eager to ensure it ...
To make sur I get it right, does it mean "he was eager to ensure it ...
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AngliholicTo make sur I get it right, does it mean "he was eager to ensure it ...Yes, I meant "keen" in the sense of "eager" (I actually prefer "keen" here, but maybe I'm splitting hairs). Moreover, and important to the meaning, he went to some trouble to ensure it. He made an effort to ensure it (an effort that apparently failed).
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