Ksenia
Be wont to do sth 'be wont to do sth' I've encountered this expression in one of Saki's short stories. I wonder whether this expression is commonly used now. Is it ok to use it in an everyday conversation or it is a slightly bookish expression? Is it suitable for academic writing? Thank you for taking time to help me :)Here is the quote from the short story where the expression was used. In the shed that evening there was an innovation in the worship of the hutch-god. Conradin had been wont to chant his praises, tonight he asked a boon.
Dec 6, 2017 12:10 PM
Answers · 2
Hi Ksenia, Yes, I think "bookish" is the correct description for this phrase. Still, it's worth knowing. By the way, I just re-watched the "Pirhanha Brothers" sketch by Monty Python - one of the characters uses this expression several times. You might get a feeling for its use by watching the sketch.
December 6, 2017
Hi Ksenia This is rather a formal way of expressing "be likely to do something". In everyday conversation, I would use the second variant.
December 6, 2017
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