To try hard to say something...

[alpacinou]

Hello.

I'm trying to describe a situation when a person is very sick. She has taken strong pain killers and has difficulty speaking. She tries so hard to say something before going to sleep. Is it correct to use "mustering her strength" in this situation.

What do you think about this?

"You need to stop..." Julia's voice trailed off. The sedatives had kicked in. Mustering all her strength, Julia whispered with a frail voice before dozing off. "I will never forgive my husband."


Do I have better options?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Hello.

I'm trying to describe a situation in which/where a person is very sick. She has taken strong pain killers and is having difficulty speaking. She's trying hard to say something before going to sleep. Is it correct to use "mustering the strength" in this situation?

What do you think about this?

"You need to stop..." Julia's voice trailed off. The sedatives had kicked in. Mustering all her strength, Julia whispered in a frail voice before dozing off, "I'll never forgive my husband."

Do I have better options?

Of course you do, but it's good the way you wrote it. (There are some minor changes.)

 

[alpacinou]

Of course you do, but it's good the way you wrote it. (There are some minor changes.)

It's a good thing the day starts with S and you are here Charlie.

Could you please offer some alternatives? I want to know.

How would you write the same scene?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

You might use summoning or rallying, but I like mustering more.

You could say "as she dozed off" if you want to give the impression she fell asleep right on her last word.

And, hey, here in the US, today starts with a T. There must be some kind of weird interference at the International Date Line!

 

[alpacinou]

You might use summoning or rallying, but I like mustering more.

You could say "as she dozed off" if you want to give the impression she fell asleep right on her last word.

And, hey, here in the US, today starts with a T. There must be some kind of weird interference at the International Date Line!

Aha. Are these correct?

1. She could barely summon up the voice to speak.

2. She couldn't even summon up the voice to scream in agony.

===========
Yes. That was slip. I promise you it's Tuesday in my country too.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Aha. Are these correct?

1. She could barely summon [STRIKE]up[/STRIKE] the voice to speak.

2. She couldn't even summon [STRIKE]up[/STRIKE] the voice to scream in agony.

Actually, I don't think screaming in agony is a voluntary activity. No summoning is required. Far from it!

===========
Yes. That was slip. I promise you it's Tuesday in my country too.

I'm sure it's Saturday somewhere!

 

[Tarheel]

I'm sure it's Saturday somewhere!

Maybe on Mars.

 

[alpacinou]

I'm sure it's Saturday somewhere!

I live in a pariah country. But the state can't change the days. They would if they could, though, the maniacs they are.

 

[Tarheel]

I live in a pariah country. But the state can't change the days. They would if they could, though, the maniacs that they are.

Look at it this way. At least you weren't born in North Korea.
:-|

 

[alpacinou]

Look at it this way. At least you weren't born in North Korea.
:-|

Yes. Let's look at the glass half-full.:-?