Why does the author use ‘would’ in “I would kill him inchmeal just now”?
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 conditionals will-would
edited yesterday
Mari-Lou A
62.2k55221457
asked Dec 28 '18 at 6:25
AMAAMA
1
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 conditionals will-would
edited yesterday
Mari-Lou A
62.2k55221457
asked Dec 28 '18 at 6:25
AMAAMA
1
Welcome to ELU. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
Dec 28 '18 at 6:34
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
Dec 28 '18 at 11:58
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
Dec 28 '18 at 14:58
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 conditionals will-would
edited yesterday
Mari-Lou A
62.2k55221457
asked Dec 28 '18 at 6:25
AMAAMA
1
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 conditionals will-would
meaning-in-context conditionals will-would
edited yesterday
Mari-Lou A
62.2k55221457
asked Dec 28 '18 at 6:25
AMAAMA
1
edited yesterday
Mari-Lou A
62.2k55221457
asked Dec 28 '18 at 6:25
AMAAMA
1
edited yesterday
Mari-Lou A
62.2k55221457
edited yesterday
Mari-Lou A
62.2k55221457
edited yesterday
Mari-Lou A
62.2k55221457
62.2k55221457
asked Dec 28 '18 at 6:25
AMAAMA
1
asked Dec 28 '18 at 6:25
AMAAMA
1
asked Dec 28 '18 at 6:25
AMAAMA
1
1
Welcome to ELU. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
Dec 28 '18 at 6:34
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
Dec 28 '18 at 11:58
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
Dec 28 '18 at 14:58
add a comment |
Welcome to ELU. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
Dec 28 '18 at 6:34
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
Dec 28 '18 at 11:58
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
Dec 28 '18 at 14:58
Welcome to ELU. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
Dec 28 '18 at 6:34
Welcome to ELU. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
Dec 28 '18 at 6:34
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
Dec 28 '18 at 11:58
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
Dec 28 '18 at 11:58
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
Dec 28 '18 at 14:58
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
Dec 28 '18 at 14:58
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
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 Dec 28 '18 at 7:05
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
5,82011119
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "97"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});
function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});
}
});
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f478837%2fwhy-does-the-author-use-would-in-i-would-kill-him-inchmeal-just-now%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
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 Dec 28 '18 at 7:05
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
5,82011119
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 Dec 28 '18 at 7:05
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
5,82011119
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 Dec 28 '18 at 7:05
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
5,82011119
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 Dec 28 '18 at 7:05
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
5,82011119
answered Dec 28 '18 at 7:05
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
5,82011119
answered Dec 28 '18 at 7:05
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
5,82011119
answered Dec 28 '18 at 7:05
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
5,82011119
5,82011119
add a comment |
add a comment |
Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f478837%2fwhy-does-the-author-use-would-in-i-would-kill-him-inchmeal-just-now%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Welcome to ELU. See also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
Dec 28 '18 at 6:34
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
Dec 28 '18 at 11:58
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
Dec 28 '18 at 14:58