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Angliholic Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
She nearly swallows her greeting
The first-grade teacher stands at the doorway as her new pupils arrive. "Good morning ... Welcome to school." When she sees the face of a giraffe go by, she nearly swallows her greeting.
HI,
Is it correct to interpret the underlined part in the above as "she is nearly too shocked to greet?" Thanks.
HI,
Is it correct to interpret the underlined part in the above as "she is nearly too shocked to greet?" Thanks.
Top answer
Hi Angliholic Yes, that's basically what I would understand. She is so surprised that she has some trouble finishing her greeting.
- Hi Angliholic Yes, that's basically what I would understand.
- She is so surprised that she has some trouble finishing her greeting.
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3 Answers
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Hi Angliholic
Yes, that's basically what I would understand. She is so surprised that she has some trouble finishing her greeting.
Yes, that's basically what I would understand. She is so surprised that she has some trouble finishing her greeting.
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Yes. In this context "swallow" means to start to pronounce a phrase and then to be interrupted and either to omit the ending of the phrase or to utter it vary inarticulately.
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In addition to what has already been said, good phrases are "to be taken aback", "take off guard", "take somebody by surprise" . For instance:
She was taken aback/taken off guard when she saw him alive.
She was taken by surprise when sha saw him alive.
She was taken aback/taken off guard when she saw him alive.
She was taken by surprise when sha saw him alive.
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