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Mr. Tom Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Why no "a" before "legend"
Hi
Could you please listen to this clip for 20 seconds and tell me why she doesn't use "a" before "legend"? Also, if you complete the clip, what does the man say in the end before the word "overreacted"?
I _____ overreacted?
Many thanks,
Tom
Could you please listen to this clip for 20 seconds and tell me why she doesn't use "a" before "legend"? Also, if you complete the clip, what does the man say in the end before the word "overreacted"?
I _____ overreacted?
Many thanks,
Tom
Top answer
He just said "I overreacted" in the clip but he lingered on "I" to show he was thinking of something to say. I didn't watch the lips so maybe that he swore an It was edited for the trailer. "it became legend" is fine as is "it became a legend" I am not sure, I can start to explain why to you so will leave that to somebody else to avoid confusion.
- He just said "I overreacted" in the clip but he lingered on "I" to show he was thinking of something to say.
- I didn't watch the lips so maybe that he swore an It was edited for the trailer.
- "it became legend" is fine as is "it became a legend" I am not sure, I can start to explain why to you so will leave that to somebody else to avoid confusion.
- I think if you totally correct you would say "it became legendary" however maybe that would be too formal for the audience and the character portrayed.
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10 Answers
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He just said "I overreacted" in the clip but he lingered on "I" to show he was thinking of something to say. I didn't watch the lips so maybe that he swore an It was edited for the trailer.
"it became legend" is fine as is "it became a legend" I am not sure, I can start to explain why to you so will leave that to somebody else to avoid confusion. I think if you totally correct you wou
"it became legend" is fine as is "it became a legend" I am not sure, I can start to explain why to you so will leave that to somebody else to avoid confusion. I think if you totally correct you wou
00
"Legend" is used most frequently as a noun, but in your example, it's an adjective. It means the same as "legendary," but it's a little more sophisticated, or something like that.
His drunken brawls are legend.
I suppose you could argue that "legend" is a noncountable noun, but I hear it as an adjective here.
Edit. Ouch! My dictionary doesn't give it as an adjective.
His drunken brawls are legend.
I suppose you could argue that "legend" is a noncountable noun, but I hear it as an adjective here.
Edit. Ouch! My dictionary doesn't give it as an adjective.
00
Yes, I think we can safely classify 'legend' here as an uncountable noun: 'legend' as a stuff, as it were. Here is the relevant dictionary entry:
2. the body of stories of this kind, esp. as they relate to a particular people, group, or clan: the winning of the West in American legend.
2. the body of stories of this kind, esp. as they relate to a particular people, group, or clan: the winning of the West in American legend.
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My sincere thanks to all of you.
Please tell me if "a legend" is also correct in that context.
"...has since become a legend".
Tom
Please tell me if "a legend" is also correct in that context.
"...has since become a legend".
Tom
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I'm having to reset my "program." There's another noun close to "legend" in the dictionary which I also mistakenly took for an adjective when used without an article:
"legion." "Their numbers are legion." I just can't hear this as a noun!
"They numbered a legion." No problem. This is clearly a noun.
"legion." "Their numbers are legion." I just can't hear this as a noun!
"They numbered a legion." No problem. This is clearly a noun.
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And 'Homework is anathema to me' and I think there are more but none spring to mind at the moment.
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Hi,
I think the "a" is dropped to make the speech more dramatic. It is an artistic change, if you were to say "a legend" it puts the legend into the context of a number of legends and therefore makes you think of many legends so you are diluting the story. In this case the "legend" is something bigger, and by just using one "legend" it makes it sound older, as if many legends are blended in
I think the "a" is dropped to make the speech more dramatic. It is an artistic change, if you were to say "a legend" it puts the legend into the context of a number of legends and therefore makes you think of many legends so you are diluting the story. In this case the "legend" is something bigger, and by just using one "legend" it makes it sound older, as if many legends are blended in
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Hi, Anon.
If you want to work at it over a period of time, it would help if you register, so we'll recognize you.
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If you want to work at it over a period of time, it would help if you register, so we'll recognize you.
If you have a question about something you've heard or seen, pick one of the forums (vocabulary, grammar, etc.) and click "start a new thread" (or something like that) at the top of the list of current topics.
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