Thinker
trying to explain the grammar of Harry Potter passage. Are my explanations right? “Follow me,” said Snape. Not daring even to look at each other, Harry and Ron followed Snape up the(1) steps into the(2) vast, echoing entrance hall, which was lit with flaming torches. A delicious smell of food was wafting from the Great Hall, but Snape led them away from the(3) warmth and light, down a(4) narrow stone staircase that led into the(5) dungeons. “In!” he said, opening a(6) door halfway down the cold passageway and pointing. 1) There's only one set of steps leading to that Hall 2) There's only one such Hall in the Hogwarts 3) Specific warmth and light of the Great Hall 4) Just one of the various staircases leading to the dungeons 5) Well known dungeons of Hogwarts and so unique 6) Just one door and there might be more that one, THE door would then mean that there was only one door in the passageway.
Oct 17, 2019 8:20 PM
Answers · 10
1
I think you're completely correct. For number 1, it may also be that the existence of the steps was already mentioned or alluded to in a prior sentence. In other words, they already knew they would be going up the steps -- they just needed to wait for Snape to start walking. Also note that the staircase leading to the dungeons was probably not something Harry and Ron knew of beforehand. (I used "the", since we already know what steps we're talking about.)
October 17, 2019
Thank you, Rebecca!
October 18, 2019
1) There could be more than one set of steps as steps is plural. It does not specify here. 2) There is only one entrance hall. It is vast and echoing. 3) Correct 4) Correct 5) Correct 6) Yes, there might be more than one, but there could only be one door. Again, the text does not specify. Hope that helped :)
October 17, 2019
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!