[B-Greek] Periphrastic imperatives

Webb webb at selftest.net
Wed Nov 16 12:54:02 EST 2005


Dear Jon,

I don't think there is a nice, totally satisfactory solution to the business
of 3rd person imperatives in English.

In the case you cite, I'd probably render it, "No one should look down...",
for two reasons. First, it's no longer natural to use formulations like "Let
no one look down", and secondly, to rule out the sense, "Timothy, don't
allow anyone to look down".

In other words, because there is no straight-across analogue, my opinion is
that the subjunctive often becomes the best work-around.

Peace,

Webb Mealy





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