I'm reading Animal Farm and having this question... Here's the sentence: They tiptoed up to the house, and such animals as were tall enough peered in at the dining-room windows. I can understand it me

jasmine

I'm reading Animal Farm and having this question... Here's the sentence: They tiptoed up to the house, and such animals as were tall enough peered in at the dining-room windows. I can understand it means: Tall animals could peer in at the dining-room windows. But as for the part "such animals as were tall enough" , I can't figure out the structure here. I mean what's the usage of "such as" ? Could you give me some examples just like this sentence? thank you!

Sep 22, 2014 12:43 PM

Answers · 6

She was appalled that such things as were said about her affair would be printed in the newspaper for all to read. Those animals , such as the lions and tigers, were removed from the zoo as too dangerous to keep. I wonder if questions such as this one are frequently asked on italki Such personal items as nighties, knickers, lipstick and perfumes, can be found in the ladies section.

September 22, 2014

It's an old-fashioned phrasing. In more modern English we'd say 'Those animals which were tall enough ...' I wouldn't worry about this construction, if I were you. It isn't really used any more. One thing which is important, though, is to know that we don't say 'I'm ..having a question'. 'Have' in this sentence is a stative verb, and can only be in the present simple. You can say 'I'm having a party' but you can't say 'I'm having a question.' !

September 22, 2014

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