Posted: 01 Jan 2014 08:14 PM PST
A reader is troubled by the use of enamored by instead of enamored of. (British enamoured).
It may be because I read a lot of British literature, but the only usage with enamored that sounds “right” to me is “enamored of,” as in Titania’s remark when waking from the spell in A Midsummer Night’s Dream: “Me thought I was enamoured of an Asse.”
However, another preposition is acceptable with enamored, but it’s not by; it’s with. Merriam-Webster gives these examples:
The verb enamor may be used transitively, as in “Rosamond Vincy enamored Dr. Lydgate.” That means that she affected him in such a way as to make him fall in love with her. More usually, enamor is cast in the passive: “Dr. Lydgate was enamored of Rosamond Vincy.” Here, the meaning is that he was inflamed with love for her.
Paul Brians, an English professor at Washington State University offers this helpful mnemonic:
I’ll offer my own view as to how one might choose between of and with to use with this verb:
Use “enamored of” when speaking of romantic love: “Marc Antony was enamored of Cleopatra.”
Use “enamored with” when speaking of mere fascination or interest: “Charlie is enamored with his new iPad.”
As for “enamored by,” remember the ferrets.
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Thursday, January 2, 2014
Prepositions with Enamored
Jacqueline is a fan of historical dramas as long as they're clean with some crazy plot twists. Often she writes with her darling Nash-cat resting on her arms, which makes for some interesting typing. She's a survivor of narcissistic head games, and adds bits and pieces taken from her experiences to her stories.
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