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Why do we put subject and auxiliary verbs e.g., have, be, do at the end of the sentence? I found this kind of sentences from a fantasy book named The last apprentice by Joseph Delany.

Examples:

  1. Got what I need, you have.
  2. Bossy and arrogant, he is.
  3. Try to help her, I did.
Apii Apii
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  • Are you asking under what circumstances this is done because it's not a common construction? – KillingTime Apr 26 '19 at 05:17
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    We don't, ordinarily, but Yoda never learned to put the tensed verb in the main clause, right after the subject. – Greg Lee Apr 26 '19 at 05:19
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    @Api Api did you read these expressions in a book? If so, please edit tell us its title and the name of its author. If they come from a film, give us this information too IN your question NOT in a comment. Thanks. – Mari-Lou A Apr 26 '19 at 06:04
  • @GregLee The first example sounds quite wrong but the other phrases sound as if they are a form of dated Cockney or another outdated British English dialect. – Mari-Lou A Apr 26 '19 at 06:32
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    @Mari-LouA "Outdated British English dialect"? That's rather tendentious. Cockney? I'm not sure about that. Sounds more like Welsh, it does. It's sometimes called "focus fronting" or "predicate fronting". – Rosie F May 30 '19 at 06:32
  • @RosieF it wasn't meant to be insulting, just voicing an opinion. The structure sounds a bit dated to my ears. – Mari-Lou A May 30 '19 at 06:35
  • Possible duplicate of What term can be used to describe Yoda's speech?. An example given: 'Help you I will.' – Edwin Ashworth Oct 27 '19 at 15:15
  • @RosieF. Yes, Focus-fronting. The accent is broadly Mancunian and the construction is relatively common in the North in general. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wardstone_Chronicles. "The Wardstone Chronicles, published as The Last Apprentice series in the U.S., is a dark fantasy series of books written by British author Joseph Delaney". [...] The County" referenced in the Chronicles is based on Lancashire in the North of England." – Greybeard Feb 24 '20 at 17:17

2 Answers2

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It's much more likely that the verb would be repeated at the end of the sentence by way of emphasis - "You're cute, you are" (to a baby or pet animal) - "I'm Henery the Eighth, I am." - "She's a great cook, she is."

Kate Bunting
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It sounded like the writer paraphrased it in his own creative way, like how he would have narrated it in movies. (Written vs Spoken English)

  1. Do you have what I need? Yes.

  2. Is he bossy and arrogrant? Yes.

  3. Did I try to help her? Yes.

Hydes
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