time’s a-flying

[1364]

Hi;
I wanna know whether this structure is right or not?

“ time’s a-flying “
Thanks & regards,

[Ouisch]

If you're writing dialog in a particular dialect, such as from the perspective of someone from the American South or maybe a farmer or cowboy, then it's correct.

[1364]

Originally Posted by Ouisch

If you're writing dialog in a particular dialect, such as from the perspective of someone from the American South or maybe a farmer or cowboy, then it's correct.

hi dear Ouisch ,
this is the exact sentence of "Rabindranath Tagore" story "A wrong man in workers' paradise".

[Tdol]

It's OK- we use a-...ing sometimes

[nyggus]

Originally Posted by tdol

It's OK- we use a-...ing sometimes

I've met such a construction several times (e.g., in O Brother, Where Art Thou). What's the meaning of this construction?

Thanks,
Nyggus

[Ouisch]

Originally Posted by nyggus

I've met such a construction several times (e.g., in O Brother, Where Art Thou). What's the meaning of this construction?

Thanks,
Nyggus

Again, it's a matter of dialect. O Brother was set in the Deep South, where they often speak like that: "Hurricane's a-coming." Truly cynical people would say it's because folks in that region are lazy and it takes less effort (and less words) to say "hurricane's a-coming" versus "There is a hurricane approaching."

[mykwyner]

There is an interesting history behind the a...ing form. English speakers have been using it for hundreds of years. Today, however, its usage is considered archaic or dialectal.