Trying to get me

Question

Hello!These are the words of Orson Welles's biographer:Trying to get me-Orson suggests I begin there. How does one get Orson Welles?I'm not sure whether this -ing form is gerund and if I should understand it as While you were trying to get me, or is it shortened form of Are you trying to get me? How should I understand the beginning of this sentence?

Pieanne · Accepted Answer

Or "(for those who are) trying to get me"/"(If you are) trying to get me"

There's no question mark, so it can't be "Are you etc..."

Antonia · Answer

You definitely think it's if? It sounds interesting... Thank you Pieanne

Pieanne · Answer

I don't "definitely" think anything, Antonia... That's why I still feel young  <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Antonia · Answer

OK, sorry Pieanne, I forgot your age, how old are you? It's nineteen, isn't it?<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Pieanne · Answer

20 now... I had my birthday a few days ago.  <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/44.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/44.gif' alt='Emotion: cake'/>

Antonia · Answer

Congratulations!! Fragile years have passed, finally...<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/10.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/10.gif' alt='Emotion: embarrassed'/>

Pieanne · Answer

You're quite right, Antonia, I feel much stronger now!  <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

YoungCalifornian · Answer

I'm not sure, but I think that your first guess is probably correct, Antonia. It's likely a shortened form of 'While trying to get me...', or 'In an effort to try and get me...' I 'd be curious to know what sentence preceded it.

By the way, I just turned 22 a few weeks ago!

Mister Micawber · Answer

Trying to get me-Orson suggests I begin there.

With only that text to go by, the 'there' must refer to 'trying to get me', so I would read it as 'Orson suggests I begin by trying to get him'-- whatever that may mean. 'Get him' = attack him? find out his secrets?

Antonia · Answer

This is the beginning of the chapter (so nothing precedes it) in which she (biographer) recounts how difficult it was to find him and to convince him to meet her. So it could be that get means find

It is more like his suggestion of how she should begin her book.

Thank you all

Trying to get me

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