The will do me

Question

Hi, -----------I still recognize mountains and rivers,but I am not sure if they will do me, an old man now.

Mr Wordy · Accepted Answer

Yes, it's grammatical. It's a bookish sort of construction.

Avangi · Answer

Yes, they are grammatical. But I'm afraid the idiom has caused you to mis-parse the sentence.

Would you like another plate of beans? (reply) Half a plate will do me.

"Half a plate will satisfy my needs."

"I still recognize the mountains but I'm not sure if they recognize me, since I've grown old."
This interpretation is certainly possible, but that's not the way I read it on my first pass.

I took it to mean that the mountains and rivers may no longer suit his needs, because of his advancing age.
Not to say that old folks can't enjoy rivers and mountains, but perhaps he was formerly a white water rafter and mountain climber.

But, you know, the more I read it, the more I think your interpretation may be right.

Avangi · Answer

Mr WordyYes, it's grammatical. It's a bookish sort of construction.

Just curious, MrWordy: Do you consider "bookish" a pejorative?
I know some of our members feel that we should be promoting only current popular conversational English.
But some of our members read Mellville and Dickens.
I guess it's important that we point out the difference.

Best wishes, - A.

Mr Wordy · Answer

AvangiJust curious, MrWordy: Do you consider "bookish" a pejorative?

No, I didn't really mean it that way.

By the way, I agree with you that the sentence is ambiguous and can be read in two different ways. Fortunately, Pructus told us which was intended in this case!

Pructus · Answer

Thanks a lot, Avangi and Mr Wordy!!!

I didn't know that it can be understood in two different ways...

The will do me

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