promise

Question

In the 1890's workers were drawn to  from the  by the promise of work in the resort hotels.I am a little confused by the above usage of "promise" and the following prep phrase.  Who is the subject of "promise"?  Is "work" here a verb, or a noun?  Why cannot say "working"?

Murof · Accepted Answer

Sorry the display has some problem. The sentence should read:

In the 1890's workers were drawn to Miami from Bahamas by the promise of work in the resort.

Pieanne · Answer

Hello, Murof

"Promise" is not a verb here, it's a noun, introduced by "by" (agent complement of "were drawn"). "Work" is a noun as well, it's something like "the promise of (finding) work in the resort.

Murof · Answer

Hi pieanne,

Thanks for the reply!

So does it equal to say that "workers are promised to be able to find work there..." by the undisclosed party (the exact subject in meaning) ?

-M

Pieanne · Answer

Yes. "Someone promised them they would find work there, and that's what made them come to Miami".

CalifJim · Answer

It is the second definition (below) of "promise", a noun, which is relevant in this case.

1 a : a declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified b : a legally binding declaration that gives the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specified act
2 : reason to expect something <little promise of relief>; especially : ground for expectation of success, improvement, or excellence <shows considerable promise>

They were drawn there by some expectation of success at finding work there. Nobody promised them anything. They just took a look at the situation and found in it reasons to expect that work would be available for them there.

CJ

Murof · Answer

Thanks, CJ!

Now I see, the word 'promise' here is more like the "expectation" from themselves than a "promise" made by others. Totally clarified! : )

-M

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