Mikkel
I’m puzzled by this use of “come of”
I’m puzzled by the following exchange (from an English test) between a man and a woman sitting at a train station (being commuters a train strike is obviously not in their interest):
Man: I see the train drivers are preparing for strike action again next week.
Woman: I don't suppose anything will come of it, though.
Man: I wish I could share your optimism.
In my opinion the woman is saying she doesn’t think the strike will take place. If she is saying that nothing will result from the strike, the man’s response makes little sense. But why would the preparations be futile? Either the train drivers decide to strike or they don’t - what does the strike happening or not happening have to do with their preparations?
I’m beginning to wonder if I don’t properly understand the meaning of “come of”. To me it means “to happen as a result of something” as in:
“No good will come of it.”
Can anyone bring me out of my puzzlement?
Thanks for your help!
2016年8月29日 15:02
解答 · 7
3
Your interpretation of the phrase seems correct. However, I'm interpreting the woman's statement to mean she does not think a strike will "come of" the entire situation, and therefore the drivers will continue to work.
2016年8月29日
3
Hello Mikkel,
If you say 'nothing will come of it' it means there will be no outcome. So in this case even though the train drivers are preparing to strike the woman thinks that the strike will not go ahead.
Best wishes
Bob
2016年8月29日
2
My interpretation of "come of" in your context of "I don't suppose anything will come of it" is that the strike is pointless (from the woman's perspective) and that the train drivers are preparing their strike in vain. So I agree on your definition.
As for the man wishing to share the woman's optimism, I think he assumes that the strike will lead to something, but not in the characters' interest. Let's simply say they the train drivers prepare their strike for a better salary and working conditions, it means that the customers have to pay more, which indirectly affects both characters in a negative way. Just an example.
2016年8月29日
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