2
   

Correct hyphenation for "Lords a-leaping", etc.?

Forums: English, Grammar, Esl, Punctuation
Email this Topic • Print this Page
 
 
sospidera
 
Reply Tue 20 Aug, 2013 10:11 am
Is there a correct hyphen placement for phrases like these? Also, is there some archaic meaning to this kind of phrasing, or is it mostly poetic licence?
  • Topic Stats
  • Top Replies
  • Link to this Topic
Type: Question • Score: 2 • Views: 984 • Replies: 1
No top replies

 
contrex
 
  1  
Reply Tue 20 Aug, 2013 10:35 am
The use of the prefix a- before the progressive aspect of a verb (i.e. with the 'ing' ending) is archaic and seldom seen except in poetry. The hyphen comes after the a and before the verb. The a- can be deleted without any change in meaning.

a-leaping a-jumping a-crying a-dying

0 Replies
 
 

Related Topics

deal - Question by WBYeats
Expert help needed: pronoun form following main verb before a gerund - Question by adavis444
Let pupils abandon spelling rules, says academic - Discussion by Robert Gentel
Please, I need help. - Question by imsak
Do you understand what "Transition overground" means? - Question by Alexander7
Is this sentence grammatically correct? - Question by Sydney-Strock
"come from" - Question by mcook
Is this paragraph incomprehensible? Would you suggest an edit? - Question by tamara123454
Does this sentence make any sense in English? - Question by estherara
Could someone review my assignment? - Question by kair0s
concentrated - Question by WBYeats
 
  1. Forums
  2. » Correct hyphenation for "Lords a-leaping", etc.?
Copyright © 2024 MadLab, LLC :: Terms of Service :: Privacy Policy :: Page generated in 0.07 seconds on 12/30/2024 at 08:36:53
▲ ▼