Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Is thi gramatially correct
Hi & many thanks in advance for your help in settling an argument.
Below is an extract from an article being written by a friend of mine about a Czech barmaid he once knew :-
Unconvinced by Martha’s earlier claims, re-phrased the question, "Are you sure you only smoke a pack a day?”
After much squirming she replied,“Sometimes, but mostly more – sometimes three packs too, but I am trying to not smoke too much”.
I have a couple of questions regarding her reply:
1. Is this grammatically accurate or does the use of repeating coordinating conjunctions (the buts) simply produce a mixed message?
2. How many cigarettes does Martha actually smoke?
My view is I don't think this statement was meant to be taken literally.
I think the character had lied earlier about her consumption & was now grudgingly implying the truth.
In reality she probably hadn't smoked anywhere near a pack a day in years & her consumption was normally 3 packs a day not "sometimes 3 packs" as stated.
The writer disagrees & thinks she should be taken at face value - i.e 1-3 packs a day, even though he admits she smoked like a chimney.
What do you think?
Below is an extract from an article being written by a friend of mine about a Czech barmaid he once knew :-
Unconvinced by Martha’s earlier claims, re-phrased the question, "Are you sure you only smoke a pack a day?”
After much squirming she replied,“Sometimes, but mostly more – sometimes three packs too, but I am trying to not smoke too much”.
I have a couple of questions regarding her reply:
1. Is this grammatically accurate or does the use of repeating coordinating conjunctions (the buts) simply produce a mixed message?
2. How many cigarettes does Martha actually smoke?
My view is I don't think this statement was meant to be taken literally.
I think the character had lied earlier about her consumption & was now grudgingly implying the truth.
In reality she probably hadn't smoked anywhere near a pack a day in years & her consumption was normally 3 packs a day not "sometimes 3 packs" as stated.
The writer disagrees & thinks she should be taken at face value - i.e 1-3 packs a day, even though he admits she smoked like a chimney.
What do you think?
Top answer
Hi many thanks in advance for your help in settling an argument. ” After much squirming she replied, “Sometimes, but mostly more – sometimes three packs too, but I am trying to not smoke too much”. I have a couple of questions regarding her reply: 1.
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Hi
many thanks in advance for your help in settling an argument.
Below is an extract from an article being written by a friend of mine about a Czech barmaid he once knew :-
Unconvinced by Martha’s earlier claims, re-phrased the question, "Are you sure you only smoke a pack a day?”
After much squirming she replied
many thanks in advance for your help in settling an argument.
Below is an extract from an article being written by a friend of mine about a Czech barmaid he once knew :-
Unconvinced by Martha’s earlier claims, re-phrased the question, "Are you sure you only smoke a pack a day?”
After much squirming she replied
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Thank you so much Clive for you feedback - TBH i wondered if anyone could be bothered to reply to this
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