Candy Posted 23 years ago
Grammar
Time - times
Here's a very simple sentence, but the word "times" puzzled me.
"It was the best of times; it was the worst of times."
Why does it have to be "times" here??
In this case, why is it used as a countable noun?
"It was the best of times; it was the worst of times."
Why does it have to be "times" here??
In this case, why is it used as a countable noun?
Top answer
This seems obvious but; think of "times" as simply more than one "time". "
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This seems obvious but; think of "times" as simply more than one "time".
The phrase really means:
"It was the best of all the (best/worst) times"
"Of all the times, this was the best."
The phrase really means:
"It was the best of all the (best/worst) times"
"Of all the times, this was the best."
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I would say it would have to do with 'moments'.
Good moments and bad moments.
We had a great time at the party!
Good moments and bad moments.
We had a great time at the party!
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" It was the best of times " means out of all the good times, you single out the best. That's why " times " is a countable noun here.
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