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Jooney Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Relative clause
Hi,
She had a fear and suspicion of the press unusual in so public a figure as she became.
I'd like to know the exact meaning of the sentence above.
Yesterday I posted this question on this forum and Mister Micawber gave me the following answer:
"The original has a little problem of its own. It should read:
She had a fear and suspicion of the press unusual in so public a figure as she had become.
She had a fear and a suspicion. These 2 feelings were unusual for a public figure. She had become one of those public figures."
I'm very grateful for the help I got from him and I would like to ask a few other questions regarding the sentence to make sure that I completely understand the meaning behind it.
1. Is 'as' used in the sentence has the same meaning of 'when'?
2. The reason why the 'as' clause should be in the past perfect form is that the two events can't be viewed as simultaneous: It is not possible for her to have a fear and a suspicion the moment she becomes a public figure. There is certianly a time gap between the two events and it must be the case that she had a fear of the press after she became a public figure. Am I right about this?
Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.
She had a fear and suspicion of the press unusual in so public a figure as she became.
I'd like to know the exact meaning of the sentence above.
Yesterday I posted this question on this forum and Mister Micawber gave me the following answer:
"The original has a little problem of its own. It should read:
She had a fear and suspicion of the press unusual in so public a figure as she had become.
She had a fear and a suspicion. These 2 feelings were unusual for a public figure. She had become one of those public figures."
I'm very grateful for the help I got from him and I would like to ask a few other questions regarding the sentence to make sure that I completely understand the meaning behind it.
1. Is 'as' used in the sentence has the same meaning of 'when'?
2. The reason why the 'as' clause should be in the past perfect form is that the two events can't be viewed as simultaneous: It is not possible for her to have a fear and a suspicion the moment she becomes a public figure. There is certianly a time gap between the two events and it must be the case that she had a fear of the press after she became a public figure. Am I right about this?
Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.
Top answer
jooney 2. The reason why the 'as' clause should be in the past perfect form is that the two events can't be viewed as simultaneous: It is not possible for her to have a fear and a suspicion the moment she becomes a public figure. There is certianly a time gap between the two events and it must be the case that she had a fear of the press after she became a public figure.
- jooney 2.
- The reason why the 'as' clause should be in the past perfect form is that the two events can't be viewed as simultaneous: It is not possible for her to have a fear and a suspicion the moment she becomes a public figure.
- There is certianly a time gap between the two events and it must be the case that she had a fear of the press after she became a public figure.
- Am I right about this?
- Yes.
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3 Answers
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jooney2. The reason why the 'as' clause should be in the past perfect form is that the two events can't be viewed as simultaneous: It is not possible for her to have a fear and a suspicion the moment she becomes a public figure. There is certianly a time gap between the two events and it must be the case that she had a fear of the press after she became a public figure. A
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CJ, thank you for the great explanation. I don't think I have a very good grasp on comparative constructions yet. Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!
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