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Park sang joon Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
The analyses of a text #2
The narrator recalls his adolescence.
He is going to London on a coach. He lost his seat to a man.
.....................
I have always considered this as the firs fall I had in life. When I booked my place at the coach-office, I had had "Box Seat" written against the entry, and had given the book-keeper half-a-crown. I was got up in a special greatcoat and shawl, expressly to do honour to that distinguished eminence, had glorified myself upon it a good deal, and had felt that I was a credit to the coach. And here, in the very first stage, I was supplanted by a shabby man with a squint, who had no other merit than smelling like a livery-stables, and being able to walk across me, more like a fly than a human being, while the horse were at a canter!
[David Copperfield by Charles Dickens]
1. I think "booked" should be "had booked," so I was wondering if it is tense simplification.
2. I'd like to know why it is "against," not "on."
3. I'd like to know if "being able to" means "having been able to."
Thank you in advance for your help.
He is going to London on a coach. He lost his seat to a man.
.....................
I have always considered this as the firs fall I had in life. When I booked my place at the coach-office, I had had "Box Seat" written against the entry, and had given the book-keeper half-a-crown. I was got up in a special greatcoat and shawl, expressly to do honour to that distinguished eminence, had glorified myself upon it a good deal, and had felt that I was a credit to the coach. And here, in the very first stage, I was supplanted by a shabby man with a squint, who had no other merit than smelling like a livery-stables, and being able to walk across me, more like a fly than a human being, while the horse were at a canter!
[David Copperfield by Charles Dickens]
1. I think "booked" should be "had booked," so I was wondering if it is tense simplification.
2. I'd like to know why it is "against," not "on."
3. I'd like to know if "being able to" means "having been able to."
Thank you in advance for your help.
Top answer
park sang joon 1. I think "booked" should be "had booked," so I was wondering if it is tense simplification. No; the dependent clause does not normally take past perfect—just the main clause.
- park sang joon 1.
- I think "booked" should be "had booked," so I was wondering if it is tense simplification.
- No; the dependent clause does not normally take past perfect—just the main clause.
- park sang joon 2.
- " 19th century style.
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1 Answers
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park sang joon1. I think "booked" should be "had booked," so I was wondering if it is tense simplification.No; the dependent clause does not normally take past perfect—just the main clause.
park sang joon2. I'd like to know why it is "against," not "on."19th century style.
park sang joon3. I'd like
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