he swung at him

[constantinusphilo]

He grabbed the front of Eric’s
shirt with his left hand and rocked him back and forth. Still holding it, he
took a step sideways to a comfortable distance and swung at him, not too
hard. (The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles)
What did he do exactly? What does it mean, 'swung at him'? Did he hit him actually or just tried to?

 

[Tarheel]

"He grabbed the front of Eric’s
shirt with his left hand and rocked him back and forth. Still holding it, he took a step sideways to a comfortable distance and swung at him, not too hard." (The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles)
What did he do exactly? What does it mean, 'swung at him'? Did he actually hit him or just try to?

He may or may not have made contact.

 

[emsr2d2]

He grabbed the front of Eric’s
shirt with his left hand and rocked him back and forth. Still holding it, he
took a step sideways to a comfortable distance and swung at him, not too
hard. (The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles)

He grabbed the front of Eric’s shirt with his left hand and rocked him back and forth. Still holding it, he took a step sideways to a comfortable distance and swung at him, not too hard.

(The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles)

Constantinusphilo, please make sure you lay out your posts correctly. In the quote box is your layout from post #1. Beneath it is how it should have looked. If you paste text into the box and it puts random bits of sentences on separate lines, you need to edit it yourself before posting.

 

[jutfrank]

I think it's reasonable to assume that since he swung at him, he did indeed hit him. Unfortunately, you haven't provided the next sentence—does that not make it clear?

 

[Tdol]

I think it's reasonable to assume that since he swung at him, he did indeed hit him. Unfortunately, you haven't provided the next sentence—does that not make it clear?

Not too hard suggests that to me.

 

[Tarheel]

If you swing at somebody you certainly might hit them. (That is generally the idea.) However, you might also miss. As jutfrank says, the next sentence (or two) should make that clear.