I’ve seen the phrase "… does not an honest man make" used, and wanted to know wheather this usage constitutes an idiom or sentance pattern. Some example usages from the internet: A long resume of lies does not an honest man make. One good deed does not an honest man make? Honesty in one small … Read more
Is it okay if I rearrange the sentence The apple on the table was green or The green apple was on the table to put the adjective in front, as the first word, like Green, was the apple on the table All of them sound acceptable to me. Why is that? What is this called? … Read more
According to Wikipedia, this is a hyperbaton: “Whom god wishes to destroy, he first makes mad” — Euripides Is that right, and if so, why? My native language is Swedish, but I speak English fluently. Anyway, why isn’t the following considered hyperbaton too? It’s not that hard, I suppose. It’s very common in Swedish, which … Read more
I’m writing a poem, and I wondered if, to a native speaker, this would sound awkward (or grammatically incorrect): Aloof the hallow things shall always be. As a variant of The hallow things shall always be aloof. Is my phrase grammatically correct (for a poem)? Answer Yes, this is the poetic device known as hyperbaton. … Read more
Possible Duplicate: Why do some adjectives follow the nouns they modify? In English, adjectives usually precede the nouns they describe, as in “organic carrots”. However, in some cases “normal” adjectives are reversed – possibly for emphasis or to add an exotic flair. For example, Curtis Mayfield’s album “A Love Supreme”; this would normally flow “a … Read more
I have always wondered why the motto of the City of Orlando, FL (USA) is worded as The City Beautiful instead of The Beautiful City: Is The City Beautiful grammatically correct? If so, do you have examples of mottos or common phrases that use the adjective after the noun? Answer This is anastrophe, or more … Read more
Reading doth not a writer make. This sounds all wrong so why it is acceptable to use? The word order looks to be all out sequence (Object-Subject-Verb). It should be “reading does not make you a writer” (Object-Verb-Subject). And if this is Shakespearian, when and how did the word order in English change? Answer Let … Read more
I’ve often seen the sentence structure “____ does not a ____ make” which I’ve now discovered is called hyperbaton. the use, especially for emphasis, of a word order other than the expected or usual one — from Dictionary.com I’m wondering though if it would be considered correct use of English? Answer Hyperbaton correct is indeed—from … Read more
