June 13, 2012, 16:55
goofyextraneous negation
I'm reading John Wyndham's
The Chrysalids, and I noticed this:
quote:
It was perplexing to know whether the time had not come when we ought to get rid of the tell-tale great-horses - perhaps drive them on along the track while we made off in a different direction on foot. The decision was difficult to make without more information.
I don't see how the presence or absence of that
not makes any difference to the meaning.
Similar to these sentences.June 13, 2012, 17:56
GeoffTo me it adds a sense that the writer feels that the time HAS come, without question, despite hs claiming to be perplexed.
June 13, 2012, 20:29
KallehI wonder if in this case it isn't a form of "...perplexing to know whether or not the time had come..."
June 14, 2012, 04:49
wordmaticI agree with Geoff. It's idiomatic and it emphasizes that the time has come.
WM
June 14, 2012, 07:05
arnieDitto to Geoff and wordmatic.
June 14, 2012, 19:31
goofyWell, I don't get that interpretation, but fair enough.
June 16, 2012, 06:23
KallehYes, in rereading it I can see that it isn't my way. Yet, I don't interpret it Geoff's way either.
On a different point, in that 2006 post that you linked to, goofy, I see it was your first time here with us. So glad you joined us!