0
Cleiton Silva Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Those, them, they...
In the book "The Invisible Man" we can found the following sentences:
"'The poor soul's had an accident or an operation or something,' said Mrs Hall. 'What a turn THEM bandages did give me, to be sure!'
She put on some more coal, unfolded (...). 'And THEY googles! Why, je looked more like a divin' helmet than a human man!'"
In the first one, I cannot understand the use of the word "them". To whom or to what does it reffers? I have understood the sentence as "What a turn those bandages did give me"...
In the second one I have the same doubt. I cannot figure out what is the role / function of this "they" in the phrase. I only can understand the sentence as "and those googles"...
Is my interpretation wrong? Do the words "them" and "they" have different meanings than a object and subject pronouns?
Can anybody help me?
Thank you in advance!
Best Regard,
Cleiton Silva
"'The poor soul's had an accident or an operation or something,' said Mrs Hall. 'What a turn THEM bandages did give me, to be sure!'
She put on some more coal, unfolded (...). 'And THEY googles! Why, je looked more like a divin' helmet than a human man!'"
In the first one, I cannot understand the use of the word "them". To whom or to what does it reffers? I have understood the sentence as "What a turn those bandages did give me"...
In the second one I have the same doubt. I cannot figure out what is the role / function of this "they" in the phrase. I only can understand the sentence as "and those googles"...
Is my interpretation wrong? Do the words "them" and "they" have different meanings than a object and subject pronouns?
Can anybody help me?
Thank you in advance!
Best Regard,
Cleiton Silva
Top answer
Hi, Using 'them' and 'they' like this instead of the correct 'those' is a common sign that the speaker is not well educated. Clive
- Hi, Using 'them' and 'they' like this instead of the correct 'those' is a common sign that the speaker is not well educated.
- Clive
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
6 Answers
0
Hi,
Using 'them' and 'they' like this instead of the correct 'those' is a common sign that the speaker is not well educated.
Clive
Using 'them' and 'they' like this instead of the correct 'those' is a common sign that the speaker is not well educated.
Clive
00
0
Cleiton SilvaWhat a turn THEM bandages did give me'those bandages'
Cleiton SilvaAnd THEY googles!Possibly, 'those goggles'.
______________
The author is establishing Mrs. Hall's social status by having her speak with some non-standard turns of phrase.
CJ
00
Thank you, CJ and Clive.
It's being a little complicated to read this book, because I never know if the ignorance is mine or from the character... :-)
In her speach, there are also a few words which I cannot find in the dictionaries, in some cases due to aphostrophes ( ' ) - like " 'ayfield ", which I have no idea what it means - or misspelled - like " nuthin' ", which I understa
It's being a little complicated to read this book, because I never know if the ignorance is mine or from the character... :-)
In her speach, there are also a few words which I cannot find in the dictionaries, in some cases due to aphostrophes ( ' ) - like " 'ayfield ", which I have no idea what it means - or misspelled - like " nuthin' ", which I understa
00
Cleiton Silvathere are also a few words which I cannot find in the dictionaries, in some cases due to aphostrophes ( ' ) - like " 'ayfield ",In the representation of uneducated speech, an apostrophe often represents a dropped h:
'e 'opped inter 'is 'ouse - He hopped into his house.
'ayfield -hayfield.
00
Related Questions