Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
to determine; to stabilize; to arrange; to repair; to prepare
would
resume
fix
warehouse
TOEIC test: Word games: Free Online Verb Game Answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

smiled "at" somebody or smiled "in" somebody?



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
'have you been staying' vs 'will stay' | What does this idiom mean: 'third time's the charm'
Message Author
smiled "at" somebody or smiled "in" somebody? Tue Jun 12, 2007 13:12 pm  smiled "at" somebody or smiled "in" somebody?
 

Recently I read a book, there were a simple sentence in a short story that confused me with the strange structure. The story title is the "Cask of Amontillado", narrated by Edgar Allan Poe.

The context is quoted for your reference:

"I accepted the thousand injuries done to me by Fortunato, but when he insulted me, I wanted revenge.

I said nothing, of course. That is why I am. I would have my revenge, but I would not put myself in danger. I would punish Fortunado. He would know that I caused his suffering, but no one else would know. I smiled in his face. No one would think that I hated him. I smiled pleasantly in his face. I was thinking of him on fire."

The sentences in red immediately aroused my curiosity, and even confusion. After looking up both Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary and Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, I was pretty sure that the usage of the verb "smile" is supposed to be expressed in the following way:

Smile at someone/something

Meaning: to make a smile appear on your face

E.g. She smiled at him and he smiled back.

Throughout the dictionary, other explanation concerning "smile", such as "smile on someone/something", are not suitable for the preceding expression.

I could fully understand the meaning of those sentences, either in English or Chinese; nevertheless, is the expression satisfied? Or the sentences are just common mistakes?

Please feel free to give your opinions, better translation, and other striking thought. Reference data and examples should be provided. Assert yourself!

Thanks in advance.
_________________
Nice to meet you.
seraph_l_gabriel
New Member


Joined: 25 May 2007
Posts: 2
Location: Taiwan

smiled "at" somebody or smiled "in" somebody? Tue Jun 12, 2007 21:21 pm  smiled "at" somebody or smiled "in" somebody?
 

We have to take into consideration that Poe lived 150 years ago( I think) and the text is from a story. Btw I read that beautiful story.
I think the author intends to say by "I smiled in his face" that "I smiled in his presence"

It's more emphatic than "I smiled at his face" which might mean that he mockingly smile at him
He wants to suggest that he smiled every time he saw his face because he wanted to make him confident while the revenge plan was searched.
_________________
The reader is encouraged to correct my English mistakes.
bogdanno
I'm new here and I like it ;-)


Joined: 10 Jun 2007
Posts: 24
Location: canada

Are you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!This newsletter tells you all about English! Subscribe to free email English courseHow do you use the English Prepositions correctly?English grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skills
smiled "at" somebody or smiled "in" somebody? Tue Jun 12, 2007 22:03 pm  smiled "at" somebody or smiled "in" somebody?
 

I think that Poe wanted to show an aspect of taunting in the character's smile.

To this day, when a shot is blocked in a basketball game, the one who blocked may be heard taunting the shooter by saying "in your face".

"in his/her/your face", I think, carries with it an implied sense of menace, intimidation, etc.
_________________
Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee.
prezbucky
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2056
Location: Nashville, TN (USA)

Display posts from previous:   
'have you been staying' vs 'will stay' | What does this idiom mean: 'third time's the charm'
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms smiled "at" somebody or smiled "in" somebody? All times are GMT + 2 Hours
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on English Forums
Expression: "Are they them?"Dubious (which is; which was; which has been)contrasted comparativesExpression: "go one better"Could you make out the words, pleaseExpression: is being usedWhat fingers?Scoring at homemeaning of "cross-purposes"no one was aware of where she had gone?plz check my grammar mistakeMeaning of the word 'expatriate'"on me" or "with me"Expression: let downMeaning of "Let's go dry!"by the seat of (one's) pantsThe right tense for "plans changing"How do you praise girl who is very beautiful?smiled "at" somebody or smiled "in" somebody?

Discover English-test.net
I can speak French...Cabbage patchMost frequently used word in phone conversations?"I'm being serious" vs "I'm being tired"SAT vocabulary test: Vocabulary Building: English NounFree SAT test: Free word games online: Noun GameMeaning of vicissitude, pyromania, submergence, alienation, protagonist, stringency, leaVocabulary acquisition: English noun verb adjectiveWorksheet for esl: Confusing Words test (1)English grammar quiz: English Slang Idioms (68)download kids audio books

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course written by Alan Townend
First name E-mail