Forum newsfeeds
Forum Newsfeeds


Sites for Teachers

Sites for Teachers


Go Back   UsingEnglish.com ESL Forum > Learning English > Ask a Teacher

Notices

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 11-May-2007, 18:27
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Country: Romania
Posts: 40
Current Location: Romania
First Language: Romana
Member Type: Student or Learner
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
mhmircea is on a distinguished road
Default times them ill

I am not sure about the meaning of:

"she times them ill"
from Pride and Prejudice.
Thanks,
Mircea
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 11-May-2007, 18:35
Anglika's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Country: UK
Posts: 16,446
Current Location: UK
First Language: English
Member Type: Other
Thanks: 5
Thanked 3,726 Times in 3,499 Posts
Anglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond reputeAnglika has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: times them ill

It is better to give the sentences before and after the one that is a problem - with Jane Austen, context is very important and can affect meaning.

"She times them ill" = She does something without proper planning.
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 12-May-2007, 15:00
BobK's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Country: England (South East)
Posts: 6,038
Current Location: England (South East)
First Language: English
Member Type: English Teacher
Thanks: 91
Thanked 1,026 Times in 906 Posts
BobK has much to be proud ofBobK has much to be proud ofBobK has much to be proud ofBobK has much to be proud ofBobK has much to be proud ofBobK has much to be proud ofBobK has much to be proud ofBobK has much to be proud of
Default Re: times them ill



Jane Austen was very probably using 'ill' as an adverb. In the 19th cent., well/ill were contrasting adverbs, like today's well/badly. But 'ill' can also be an adjective and even a noun; more context would help.

b
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 12-May-2007, 15:16
BobK's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Country: England (South East)
Posts: 6,038
Current Location: England (South East)
First Language: English
Member Type: English Teacher
Thanks: 91
Thanked 1,026 Times in 906 Posts
BobK has much to be proud ofBobK has much to be proud ofBobK has much to be proud ofBobK has much to be proud ofBobK has much to be proud ofBobK has much to be proud ofBobK has much to be proud ofBobK has much to be proud of
Default Re: times them ill

Yes, it's an adverb:

"Don't keep coughing so, Kitty, for Heaven's sake! Have a little
compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces."

"Kitty has no discretion in her coughs," said her father; "she
times them ill
."

"I do not cough for my own amusement," replied Kitty fretfully.
"When is your next ball to be, Lizzy?"


Mr Bennet is suggesting that Kitty coughs when she needs to, rather than planning when it would be socially most suitable. (This is presumaby a repeated issue with the Bennets. As you will find a few chapters later, Mrs Bennet is quite happy to arrange for an illness when it is most socially desirable.)

b
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 14-May-2007, 18:44
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Country: Romania
Posts: 40
Current Location: Romania
First Language: Romana
Member Type: Student or Learner
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
mhmircea is on a distinguished road
Default Re: times them ill

Thank to all for help
Mircea
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
times

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
I have been to Paris many times... alrod Ask a Teacher 9 01-Feb-2007 12:27
While + several times? Progress Ask a Teacher 2 25-Nov-2006 15:42
Please - what word describes "Three Times Per Year" ranieri71 Ask a Teacher 2 29-Jul-2005 22:44
in times; at time ripley Ask a Teacher 2 06-Mar-2005 11:20
in ..times; at...time ripley Ask a Teacher 4 06-Mar-2005 10:19


New To Site? Need Help?

All times are GMT. The time now is 10:34.


vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.2.0
Copyright © 2002 - 2008 UsingEnglish.com