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  1. #1
    1364's Avatar
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    Question time’s a-flying

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

    “ time’s a-flying “
    Thanks & regards,

  2. #2
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    Default Re: time’s a-flying

    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.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: time’s a-flying

    Quote 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".

  4. #4
    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    Default Re: time’s a-flying

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

  5. #5
    nyggus is offline Key Member
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    Question Re: time’s a-flying

    Quote 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

  6. #6
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    Default Re: time’s a-flying

    Quote 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."

  7. #7
    mykwyner is offline Key Member
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    Default Re: time’s a-flying

    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.

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