ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: depend upon it

Clive — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:10:11 GMT

Hi,

Here's the full extract:

"Very likely, in that case," said a fourth, "we shall wait here till Christmas. Shouldn't wonder, did we not see that kind gentleman again. After seeking awhile in vain, he will conclude he has been made a fool of, and so not return to us for pure shame. Fact is, I begin to feel a little qualmish about the darkie myself. Something queer about this darkie, depend upon it."

Depend on what? On the fact the gentleman won't return? No. Depend on my word, depend on the truth of what I am telling you. ie Depend on the fact that something is queer about this darkie'.Let me reiterate that 'darkie' is a very offensive word today.

You may or may not be aware that this passage is written in a very old-fashioned style of English. I wouldn't recommend it as a learning tool for students of modern English.
Clive

Re: depend upon it

wholegrain — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:33:53 GMT

Re: depend upon it

Clive — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:36:02 GMT

Hi,
Fact is, I begin to feel a little qualmish about the darkie myself. Something queer about this darkie, depend upon it."

Ok, does he mean that something queer about this darkie depends upon the qualmish feeling about the darkie? He is saying 'There is something queer about . . .'

why is it depend instead of depends It's an imperative. Like 'Trust me!' or 'Believe what I am saying!'

and why is there a comma before the word depend? Because the phrase 'depend on it' is added to the main sentence parenthetically, as an afterthought.

'Qualmish' is not a standard word in modern English.

Please note that the word 'darkie' in regard to a black person is generally considered very offensive in modern English and the associated Western English cultures.

Best wishes, Clive

depend upon it

wholegrain — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:24:39 GMT

Fact is, I begin to feel a little qualmish about the darkie myself. Something queer about this darkie, depend upon it."

Ok, does he mean that something queer about this darkie depends upon the qualmish feeling about the darkie?

why is it depend instead of depends and why is there a comma before the word depend?