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Maymhight Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

Which is the antecedent?

Hi!

Quoted below is a passage from When We Were Ophans written by Kazuo Ishiguro. I am not sure whether the clause in bold modifies "refreshmnts" or "assurance."

I would appreciate it if someone could shed some light on this.

"Moreover, almost immediately upon taking the rooms, I had walked over to Knightsbridge and acquired there a decent tea set, several packets of fine teas, and a large tin of biscuits. So when Osbourne did come along one morning a few days later, I was able to serve out the refreshments with an assurance that never once permitted him to suppose he was my first guest."
  

Top answer

The assurance. With a level of confidence that didn't hint that he/she had not had guests over before. Osborne would not have assumed he/she had not done this before, due to her self-assurance.

  • The assurance.
  • With a level of confidence that didn't hint that he/she had not had guests over before.
  • Osborne would not have assumed he/she had not done this before, due to her self-assurance.
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2 Answers
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The assurance.

With a level of confidence that didn't hint that he/she had not had guests over before. Osborne would not have assumed he/she had not done this before, due to her self-assurance.
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Barbara,

Thanks for your advice.

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