Teeth, braces, and the English Language or variations thereof.

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 190369



--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Geoff" <geoffbannister123 at ...> wrote:
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> 
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> Geoff:
> To me, as a UK English speaker, the context can only be that 
> of Hermione already having a brace or braces - 'to carry on'
> implying the continuation of a situation that already exists.
>

Steve:

I think we have to rely on you as the resident expert on this.

But I can see a context in which "to carry on" or "carry on" can imply from the past into the future, or from the present into the future, OR for the future into the future.

For example -

"When my holiday ends, I will carry on with my schooling."

The 'carry on' point is in the future. Of course, my example statement is a statement with a qualifier. Something we don't see in Hermione's statement. 

Still, I think in the case of the book, JKR simply chose an odd turn of the phase that lead to a degree of ambiguity. This is such a minor point that I can see how many authors and editors and copywriters could have over looked it. It is such a minor and insignificant point, that only members, and would be members, of LOON could possibly care about. LOON = L.O.O.N. = Loyal Order Of Nitpickers. 

Steve/bboyminn