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The use of -eth
A comedy set in 1776 uses old English that ends with -eth
- Presenteth it.
- What says you we maketh some trade?
- I shall findeth a stick.
What does it mean when -eth is added? What do they only add -eth to some verbs but not others? Do all native speakers understand this old language?
May 23, 2020 1:33 PM
Comments · 2
Yes native speakers understand older English --eth
today it is the 'th' sound in some words that is way you only hear it in some words
it is a very academic subject.
you do not hear on words like slip drop mop
but on words like make do present
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eth
if you want to do much intensive reading on the internet you can
May 23, 2020
In old English its use to denote 3rd person singular in the present tense.
Modern native users generally understand because the verb is usually makes sense if you ignore the -eth. So 'presenteth' it is understable as 'present' it.
It sounds funny to a modern native speaker to add the -eth. So in a comedy it may be that they are not using it all the time so that its still funny when used, and it will also add emphasis to a joke or scene.
May 23, 2020
