What does 'would' mean in the quote below
"I am a sanguinary murderer of time, and would kill him inchmeal just now. But the snake is vital."
i'm confused because of "just now". Doesn't that mean 'a short while ago'? If so, why is there 'would'?
meaning-in-context
asked 2 days ago
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"I am a sanguinary murderer of time, and would kill him inchmeal just now. But the snake is vital."
i'm confused because of "just now". Doesn't that mean 'a short while ago'? If so, why is there 'would'?
meaning-in-context
asked 2 days ago
AMA
1
New contributor
AMA is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Welcome to ELU. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
2 days ago
Would indicates potentiality, conditionality, wishfulness etc; just now means right at this moment. In any case, I'm flagging this as off-topic ("belongs on ELL"). Hi AMA, you may not be aware that our other site English Language Learners is the best place to look for answers on English questions that a fluent speaker would find trivial. If you have a question for ELL, be sure to read their guidance on what you can ask. :-)
– Chappo
2 days ago
Are you asking about would or just now? It's not clear. The title of your question says one thing but the body of your question, although referring to the one, mentions both. Why do you think there would be a problem using both together? (Even if just now did mean a short while ago, why do you think that would is misplaced?)
– Jason Bassford
2 days ago
add a comment |
"I am a sanguinary murderer of time, and would kill him inchmeal just now. But the snake is vital."
i'm confused because of "just now". Doesn't that mean 'a short while ago'? If so, why is there 'would'?
meaning-in-context
asked 2 days ago
AMA
1
New contributor
AMA is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
"I am a sanguinary murderer of time, and would kill him inchmeal just now. But the snake is vital."
i'm confused because of "just now". Doesn't that mean 'a short while ago'? If so, why is there 'would'?
meaning-in-context
meaning-in-context
asked 2 days ago
AMA
1
New contributor
AMA is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 days ago
AMA
1
New contributor
AMA is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 days ago
AMA
1
New contributor
AMA is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 days ago
AMA
1
asked 2 days ago
AMA
1
1
New contributor
AMA is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
AMA is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
AMA is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Welcome to ELU. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
2 days ago
Would indicates potentiality, conditionality, wishfulness etc; just now means right at this moment. In any case, I'm flagging this as off-topic ("belongs on ELL"). Hi AMA, you may not be aware that our other site English Language Learners is the best place to look for answers on English questions that a fluent speaker would find trivial. If you have a question for ELL, be sure to read their guidance on what you can ask. :-)
– Chappo
2 days ago
Are you asking about would or just now? It's not clear. The title of your question says one thing but the body of your question, although referring to the one, mentions both. Why do you think there would be a problem using both together? (Even if just now did mean a short while ago, why do you think that would is misplaced?)
– Jason Bassford
2 days ago
add a comment |
Welcome to ELU. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
2 days ago
Would indicates potentiality, conditionality, wishfulness etc; just now means right at this moment. In any case, I'm flagging this as off-topic ("belongs on ELL"). Hi AMA, you may not be aware that our other site English Language Learners is the best place to look for answers on English questions that a fluent speaker would find trivial. If you have a question for ELL, be sure to read their guidance on what you can ask. :-)
– Chappo
2 days ago
Are you asking about would or just now? It's not clear. The title of your question says one thing but the body of your question, although referring to the one, mentions both. Why do you think there would be a problem using both together? (Even if just now did mean a short while ago, why do you think that would is misplaced?)
– Jason Bassford
2 days ago
Welcome to ELU. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
2 days ago
Welcome to ELU. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
2 days ago
Would indicates potentiality, conditionality, wishfulness etc; just now means right at this moment. In any case, I'm flagging this as off-topic ("belongs on ELL"). Hi AMA, you may not be aware that our other site English Language Learners is the best place to look for answers on English questions that a fluent speaker would find trivial. If you have a question for ELL, be sure to read their guidance on what you can ask. :-)
– Chappo
2 days ago
Would indicates potentiality, conditionality, wishfulness etc; just now means right at this moment. In any case, I'm flagging this as off-topic ("belongs on ELL"). Hi AMA, you may not be aware that our other site English Language Learners is the best place to look for answers on English questions that a fluent speaker would find trivial. If you have a question for ELL, be sure to read their guidance on what you can ask. :-)
– Chappo
2 days ago
Are you asking about would or just now? It's not clear. The title of your question says one thing but the body of your question, although referring to the one, mentions both. Why do you think there would be a problem using both together? (Even if just now did mean a short while ago, why do you think that would is misplaced?)
– Jason Bassford
2 days ago
Are you asking about would or just now? It's not clear. The title of your question says one thing but the body of your question, although referring to the one, mentions both. Why do you think there would be a problem using both together? (Even if just now did mean a short while ago, why do you think that would is misplaced?)
– Jason Bassford
2 days ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
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From a letter by Charles Lamb (1775-1834). As well as "a short while ago", "just now" can also mean "at present or at this moment", which would fit the context. This useage is very common in Scottish speech.
a. very short time ago
b. at this moment
c. (South Africa informal) in a little while
Just now (Collins Dictionary)
answered 2 days ago
Michael Harvey
5,56111119
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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1 Answer
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active
oldest
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active
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active
oldest
votes
From a letter by Charles Lamb (1775-1834). As well as "a short while ago", "just now" can also mean "at present or at this moment", which would fit the context. This useage is very common in Scottish speech.
a. very short time ago
b. at this moment
c. (South Africa informal) in a little while
Just now (Collins Dictionary)
answered 2 days ago
Michael Harvey
5,56111119
add a comment |
From a letter by Charles Lamb (1775-1834). As well as "a short while ago", "just now" can also mean "at present or at this moment", which would fit the context. This useage is very common in Scottish speech.
a. very short time ago
b. at this moment
c. (South Africa informal) in a little while
Just now (Collins Dictionary)
answered 2 days ago
Michael Harvey
5,56111119
add a comment |
From a letter by Charles Lamb (1775-1834). As well as "a short while ago", "just now" can also mean "at present or at this moment", which would fit the context. This useage is very common in Scottish speech.
a. very short time ago
b. at this moment
c. (South Africa informal) in a little while
Just now (Collins Dictionary)
answered 2 days ago
Michael Harvey
5,56111119
From a letter by Charles Lamb (1775-1834). As well as "a short while ago", "just now" can also mean "at present or at this moment", which would fit the context. This useage is very common in Scottish speech.
a. very short time ago
b. at this moment
c. (South Africa informal) in a little while
Just now (Collins Dictionary)
answered 2 days ago
Michael Harvey
5,56111119
answered 2 days ago
Michael Harvey
5,56111119
answered 2 days ago
Michael Harvey
5,56111119
answered 2 days ago
Michael Harvey
5,56111119
5,56111119
add a comment |
add a comment |
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Welcome to ELU. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
2 days ago
Would indicates potentiality, conditionality, wishfulness etc; just now means right at this moment. In any case, I'm flagging this as off-topic ("belongs on ELL"). Hi AMA, you may not be aware that our other site English Language Learners is the best place to look for answers on English questions that a fluent speaker would find trivial. If you have a question for ELL, be sure to read their guidance on what you can ask. :-)
– Chappo
2 days ago
Are you asking about would or just now? It's not clear. The title of your question says one thing but the body of your question, although referring to the one, mentions both. Why do you think there would be a problem using both together? (Even if just now did mean a short while ago, why do you think that would is misplaced?)
– Jason Bassford
2 days ago