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English 1b3 Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Sentence from a book

But he had not gone six steps down the passage when something hit the back of his neck an agonizingly painful blow.

I read this in a book, so it surely is grammatical... But I don't understand how 'an agonizingly painful blow' works here.

Can someone please explain? Thanks in advance
  

Top answer

English 1b3 I read this in a book, so it surely is grammatical. Strange thought. I don't accept it as grammatical because I don't use "hit (something) a blow", and I don't hear others using it either.

— CalifJim

  • English 1b3 I read this in a book, so it surely is grammatical.
  • Strange thought.
  • I don't accept it as grammatical because I don't use "hit (something) a blow", and I don't hear others using it either.
  • CJ
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4 Answers
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English 1b3I read this in a book, so it surely is grammatical.
Strange thought.

I don't accept it as grammatical because I don't use "hit (something) a blow", and I don't hear others using it either.

CJ
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It seems there are personal or regional variations here because I find that sentence acceptable.
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GPYIt seems there are personal or regional variations here because I find that sentence acceptable.
Probably. For me "hit" would have to be changed to "struck".

struck someone a blow sounds all right to me, but not hit someone a blow.

Go figure.

CJ
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Struck makes a little more sense to me. I struck Fred a blow to the side of the head.

Thanks.
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