Site Search:
 
Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Odd that

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Learning English
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
JENNY DOLL



Joined: 24 Oct 2003
Posts: 11

PostPosted: Tue Oct 28, 2003 10:23 pm    Post subject: Odd that Reply with quote

No surgeon hovered by the black carriage that had borne Pan and his retainer here a short time ago. Odd that, for Joe
knew Pan to be somewhat fastidious in his habits, a typical aristocratic civilian who fussed over a cut finger, who would flee in horror from the carnage on a battlefield.

Hi.there.

Q1: I don't realize the sentence "Odd that", for I thought the word "odd" is an adjective, how come it is followed by the word "that" ?

Q2: Does habits here means costumes(clothes) or something like that?

God, reading is no picnic. Mad
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
bud



Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 2111
Location: New Jersey, US

PostPosted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 6:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jenny, if those are the only two questions you have from that passage, then at least your hard work is paying off!

1. I've never seen 'odd that' used in that way. I can't explain the grammar, but what it means is 'That was odd, for Joe...' It's a style that makes the writing interesting to read. (Usually you see/hear 'odd that' in this way: "It was odd that no surgeon hovered by the black carriage that had borne Pan..., for Joe knew Pan to be...")

2. 'Habit' sometimes refers to a costume, but not in this passage. Here it means "one's usual manner." Pan's usual manner was to be somewhat fastidious.

Habit also has other meanings. Here's a great website that looks up a word in dozens of dictionaries. It's interesting to see the differences in explanation:

http://www.onelook.com/

Keep up the good work!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
JENNY DOLL



Joined: 24 Oct 2003
Posts: 11

PostPosted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 7:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi,Bub.
Many thanks for your great answers and amasing website and encouragement!

Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
bud



Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 2111
Location: New Jersey, US

PostPosted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 9:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you, Jenny. Laughing
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
advoca



Joined: 09 Oct 2003
Posts: 422
Location: Beijing

PostPosted: Fri Oct 31, 2003 6:04 pm    Post subject: Odd that Reply with quote

May I chuck in my two pennorth?

"It was odd that no surgeon hovered by the black carriage that had borne Pan..., for Joe knew Pan to be..."

There is another way of writing that, �No surgeon hovered by the black carriage that had borne Pan..., for Joe knew Pan to be... Odd that.�

It means exactly as Bud put it. The last two words simple mean �It was odd.� or �Isn�t that odd?�
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Learning English All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Dave's ESL Cafe is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Banner Advertising | Bookstore / Alta Books | FAQs | Articles | Interview with Dave
Copyright © 2018 Dave's ESL Cafe | All Rights Reserved | Contact Dave's ESL Cafe | Site Map

Teachers College, Columbia University: Train to Teach English Here or Abroad
SIT
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group