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Pructus Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

If he be slain I am partner of his death

Truly, said Sir Launcelot, yonder one knight shall I help, for it were shame for me to see three knights on one, and if he be slainI am partner of his death. And therewith he took his harness and went out at a window by a sheet down to the four knights, and then Sir Launcelot said on high, Turn you knights unto me, and leave your fighting with that knight.

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Hi,

The underlined part means that (A) It's like I helped him to be killed. or (B) I will die fighting for him?
  

Top answer

Hi, A I se you are posting various questions about this book, and Mark Twain's attempt to write his idea of old-fashioned Engish. Personally, I don't think I can get very enthusiastic about interpreting a lot of this stuff in a Forum that is mainly for English learners. My feeling is that one first needs to get to the point where one's modern English is very good.

— Clive

  • Hi, A I se you are posting various questions about this book, and Mark Twain's attempt to write his idea of old-fashioned Engish.
  • Personally, I don't think I can get very enthusiastic about interpreting a lot of this stuff in a Forum that is mainly for English learners.
  • My feeling is that one first needs to get to the point where one's modern English is very good.
  • Clive
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6 Answers
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Hi,

A

I se you are posting various questions about this book, and Mark Twain's attempt to write his idea of old-fashioned Engish.

Personally, I don't think I can get very enthusiastic about interpreting a lot of this stuff in a F
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I see, Clive....

For my part, English learning seems to be unending steep road. Should, would, will... etc. seem to be not easy to understand, and there are no grammar books for foreigners to give clear cut explanation. I want to have some clear understanding of English grammar. Some old books like Mark Twain are a lot more difficult for me and the grammar is more difficult, too, which se
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Hi,

I see, Clive..

For my part, English learning seems to be unending steep road. Should, would, will... etc. seem to be not easy to understand, and there are no grammar books for foreigners to give clear cut explanation. I want to have some clear understanding of English grammar. Some old books like Mark Twain are a lot more difficult f
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Thanks a lot, Clive....

I missed the "A" that you put in....

I will take time to think about reading some old books....
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Hi Pructus,

Clive is correct.

Mark Twain is good, but his novels are not the best for learning English as it is spoken today.

You mention that there are no good English grammar books for foreigners. What's your native language - maybe I can suggest one.

Also - "if he be slain I am partner of his death" is not modern English. Not at all.
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Thanks, John....

I am Korean.

For example, the grammmar books say that "will have P.P." refers to an event that will be finished in the future. But I came across the expression "She will have left yesterday". This is just one example that grammar books do not mention, but native speakers naturally know.

Also, grammar books say "would have P.P." refers to past events, but
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