Verb forms

Question

Do these verbs make sense, in this context:

a) "When I entered his office, he was having sex with another employee. I understood he was busy with something else, and would need time to set himself, so I left."

b) "When I entered his office, he was having sex with another employee. I understood he was busy with something else, and would need time to tidy himself up, so I left."

Note: By 'to set himself' and 'to tidy himself up', I mean... to groom himself.

By the way, is it correct to say, 'to groom himself'?

GPY · Accepted Answer

Christine ChristieI understood he was busy with something else

This is hilarious. Is it intended to be?

"Sorry Mrs Jones, I can't see you right now. I'm, er, busy with something else."

Christine ChristieNote: By 'to set himself' and 'to tidy himself up', I mean... to groom himself.

"tidy himself up" is possible, but this seems more likely to be required after he had finished the job he was working on, not during it. "set himself" doesn't work. "groom himself" feels odd to me in this context.

CalifJim · Answer

Christine Christieand would need time to ~~set~~ compose himself, so I left.

I would go with "time to compose himself" or "time to regain his composure".

CJ

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