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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
"off" usage
In May of 1811, the captain of the British frigate <i>Guerriere</i> impressed an American sailor off a merchant ship while it was still in New York Harbor.
Please clarify whether it should be "of"
Please clarify whether it should be "of"
Top answer
Hi Anon I'd say that 'off' is OK here. To me, the sense is that the captain of the British frigate forcibly took the American sailor off a merchant ship. Look at this definition of the verb 'impress' (from Webster's Dictionary): to levy or take by force for public service; especially : to force into naval service
- Hi Anon I'd say that 'off' is OK here.
- To me, the sense is that the captain of the British frigate forcibly took the American sailor off a merchant ship.
- Look at this definition of the verb 'impress' (from Webster's Dictionary): to levy or take by force for public service; especially : to force into naval service
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1 Answers
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Hi Anon
I'd say that 'off' is OK here. To me, the sense is that the captain of the British frigate forcibly took the American sailor off a merchant ship.
Look at this definition of the verb 'impress' (from Webster's Dictionary):
to levy or take by force for public service; especially : to force into naval service
I'd say that 'off' is OK here. To me, the sense is that the captain of the British frigate forcibly took the American sailor off a merchant ship.
Look at this definition of the verb 'impress' (from Webster's Dictionary):
to levy or take by force for public service; especially : to force into naval service
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