"Here was I thinking ..."

Status
Not open for further replies.

Odessa Dawn

Key Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2012
Location
Saudi Arabia
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Arabic
Home Country
Saudi Arabia
Current Location
Saudi Arabia
Here was I thinking we had moved beyond such petty jealousy. Here was I thinking we actually lived in a world where we want our partners to be successful in their chosen field, regardless of gender, and their partners should be supportive, regardless.
Behind every great woman stands an unhappy man
Do the underlined parts have the same meaning with I was thinking, please?

 

billmcd

Key Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Do the underlined parts have the same meaning with I was thinking, please?


Yes, but place a comma after "I" for better understanding in written form, and pause slightly after "I" in spoken form.

 

SoothingDave

VIP Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2009
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
"Here I was, thinking" is how I would have written it.
 

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
For info, you will also hear "And there was me, thinking [that] we had moved past such trivialities".
 

probus

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 7, 2011
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
Canada
Current Location
Canada
Denotatively, "I was thinking" has the same meaning as "here I was thinking."

But the addition of "here" gives it an ironic twist. When one says "here I was thinking" one implies that one's thinking was at least incorrect, and probably outright ridiculous.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top