0
Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

Is this sentence correct?

Hello,

someone I know was taking an English course and in the book was this sentence:

"He arrived safe."

I believed it was incorrect grammar and should be;
"He arrived safely." I can think of no reason that would make the former sentence correct. Do any of you know the answer to this question?

Thanks
  

Top answer

A safe choice would be safely , I suppose, but I think it depends on the precise meaning. He arrived safe is certainly common in the spoken language, and it is correct in the meaning of ' free from harm or risk; unhurt ': He arrived (in a) safe (condition) = He arrived unhurt. Similar structures: He arrived hungry/exhausted/ etc.

— Mister Micawber

  • A safe choice would be safely , I suppose, but I think it depends on the precise meaning.
  • He arrived safe is certainly common in the spoken language, and it is correct in the meaning of ' free from harm or risk; unhurt ': He arrived (in a) safe (condition) = He arrived unhurt.
  • Similar structures: He arrived hungry/exhausted/ etc.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

7 Answers
0
A safe choice would be safely, I suppose, but I think it depends on the precise meaning. He arrived safe is certainly common in the spoken language, and it is correct in the meaning of 'free from harm or risk; unhurt': He arrived (in a) safe (condition) = He arrived unhurt. Similar structures: He arrived hungry/exhausted/etc.
0
0
Would it be correct to say: 'The trip wasn't safely, but he arrived safe'?

Regards,

Slava
0
0
Too much elision, I think, Slava:

'The trip wasn't passed safely, but he arrived safe'
0
0
"He arrived safe."

It would be correct to say "He arrived safe and sound."
0
0
I saw a notice that said Freshly frozen fish. Presumably someone thought that Fresh frozen didn't sound right, but in fact the meaning was different. Fresh frozen means frozen when fresh. Freshly frozen means frozen not long ago (and perhaps it was already rotten).
In the case o
0
0
Hi guys,

There's a novel by Philip **** "Scanner Darkly". What could that possibly mean?

Regards,

Slava
0

Related Questions