Jan. 10, 2022
Book - A Shot in the Dark - P25
Part twenty-five.
Note: this story is written with present tenses on purpose (analyse the story as if it takes place while you read).
Inspector Steine has* two constables fetch Sergeant Brunswick at the hippodrome. Having been now apprised of the latest happenings, Brunswick dashes to the theatre. Once there, he finds Inspector Steine interviewing the cast and management. In particular, actor Todd Blair, who overheard the conversation between Inspector Steine and critic Crystal at the ice cream parlour, seems to have just admitted telling Alec Forrester, who is at large as yet, every details of what Crystal said about him. As it happened, Blair had** not treaded carefully in conveying such sensitive details; his inadequate choice of words fuelled Alec’s anger. True to form, Steine has taken in only Blair’s overhearing; he apprises him he strongly disapproves of such behaviour. There is more to the story: Blair reports Alec thought Crystal was his friend and said he would kill him tonight. At which, Steine asks if any of those present has ever seen Alec with a gun. When they have all shaken their heads, Steine astonishingly dismisses the charges against Alec Forrester: he tears up the piece of paper he has been writing on and says “It can’t be him then, can it?” Actually, he is irked: have they never heard of ‘FOWPT’ - also known among the police force as ‘Fear of Wasting Police Time’?
*bearing in mind the sidenote, should it be “has had” or “has” or “had”? (in my mind these two policemen are now heading to the hippodrome)
**it is referred to the action of talking to Alec, so should it be “did not” or “had not” ? (remember the note at the top)
Inspector Steine has* two constables fetch Sergeant Brunswick at the hippodrome.
This is correct. The word "has" is a causative verb here ("to have someone do something"). I suppose you could say "has had two constables fetch..." if they are already back from fetching when you are talking.
In particular, actor Todd Blair, who overheard the conversation between Inspector Steine and critic Crystal at the ice cream parlour, seems to have just admitted telling Alec Forrester, who is at large as yet, every details of what Crystal said about him.
"every" is always followed by the singular.
True to form, Steine has taken in only Blair’s overhearing; he apprises himlets him know he strongly disapproves of such behaviour.
"apprise" is not used much (formal/legal), and you must say "apprise someone of something". You could say "he apprises him of the the fact that strongly..." but it's a bit much!
There is more to the story: Blair reports Alec thought Crystal was his friend and said he would kill him tonight.
This is very ambiguous -- first, who said they would kill someone? It could be Blair or Alec. Secondly, who is "him"? It could be any of the three men (depending on who is doing the killing).
At wthichs point, Steine asks if any of those present has ever seen Alec with a gun.
"which" is a relative pronoun, so it would have to be a part of the preceding sentence.
**it this referreds to the action of talking to Alec, so should it be “did not” or “had not” ?
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Good update!
Jan. 11, 2022
Inspector Steine has* two constables fetch Sergeant Brunswick at the hippodrome.
with this sentence, I meant they were now heading there
Jan. 11, 2022
There is more to the story: Blair reports Alec thought Crystal was his friend and said he would kill him tonight.
I knew it was such a bad sentence, but I try to use as less sentences as possibile while also trying to keep the sentences very short. Blair reports this: Alec thought that Crystal was his friend; Alec was so furious that said he would kill Crystal tonight.
Jan. 11, 2022
Many thanks for your help!
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Book - A Shot in the Dark - P25 |
|
Part twenty-five. |
|
Note: this story is written with present tenses on purpose (analyse the story as if it takes place while you read). |
|
Inspector Steine has* two constables fetch Sergeant Brunswick at the hippodrome. Inspector Steine has* two constables fetch Sergeant Brunswick at the hippodrome. This is correct. The word "has" is a causative verb here ("to have someone do something"). I suppose you could say "has had two constables fetch..." if they are already back from fetching when you are talking. |
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Having been now apprised of the latest happenings, Brunswick dashes to the theatre. |
|
Once there, he finds Inspector Steine interviewing the cast and management. |
|
In particular, actor Todd Blair, who overheard the conversation between Inspector Steine and critic Crystal at the ice cream parlour, seems to have just admitted telling Alec Forrester, who is at large as yet, every details of what Crystal said about him. In particular, actor Todd Blair, who overheard the conversation between Inspector Steine and critic Crystal at the ice cream parlour, seems to have just admitted telling Alec Forrester, who is at large as yet, every detail "every" is always followed by the singular. |
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As it happened, Blair had** not treaded carefully in conveying such sensitive details; his inadequate choice of words fuelled Alec’s anger. |
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True to form, Steine has taken in only Blair’s overhearing; he apprises him he strongly disapproves of such behaviour. True to form, Steine has taken in only Blair’s overhearing; he "apprise" is not used much (formal/legal), and you must say "apprise someone of something". You could say "he apprises him of the the fact that strongly..." but it's a bit much! |
|
There is more to the story: Blair reports Alec thought Crystal was his friend and said he would kill him tonight. There is more to the story: Blair reports Alec thought Crystal was his friend and said he would kill him tonight. This is very ambiguous -- first, who said they would kill someone? It could be Blair or Alec. Secondly, who is "him"? It could be any of the three men (depending on who is doing the killing). |
|
At which, Steine asks if any of those present has ever seen Alec with a gun. At "which" is a relative pronoun, so it would have to be a part of the preceding sentence. |
|
When they have all shaken their heads, Steine astonishingly dismisses the charges against Alec Forrester: he tears up the piece of paper he has been writing on and says “It can’t be him then, can it?” Actually, he is irked: have they never heard of ‘FOWPT’ - also known among the police force as ‘Fear of Wasting Police Time’? |
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*bearing in mind the sidenote, should it be “has had” or “has” or “had”? |
|
(in my mind these two policemen are now heading to the hippodrome) |
|
**it is referred to the action of talking to Alec, so should it be “did not” or “had not” ? ** |
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(remember the note at the top) |
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