Analyzing and Interpreting Literature / Unit 3 AIL 0214 short lesson, about 20 seconds
"Wanting" in Sonnet Twenty-Six
Captions available
The idea
Sonnet twenty-six says his duty is so great that his poor wit "May make seem bare, in wanting words to show it". Wanting means lacking words. The participle carries the same shifted sense as the verb, so recognising one form gives you the other without new learning.
In practice
Wanting words is having none.
Where people slip
A participle shifts with its verb.
Your place on the trail
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Builds on
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