native english speaker, what can you say about this one sentence?

Question

My teacher in English was disappointed by this one sentence. It made her to write it on the board and considered as a very funny composition. Her first comment was, "what do you mean by aggrandized?" then she laughed maybe because she didn't know its meaning. secondly was she had a sarcastic comment regarding the adverb couteously. she said, "how you say that a certain person is talking courteously?"
I felt humiliated with what she had done. English speaker would mind have some comment with this one sentence. Is it wrong to use the word, 'aggrandize'.

A man aggrandized by his golden necklace courteously talks with a student.

Answer 1

Aggrandize means "to increase the power, rank, wealth, or reputation of." It would be difficult to use the word as you did except in a literary way such as in writing a story. It's not that it's wrong so much as it's awkward. It would also imply that the guy was showing off by wearing jewelry that was too fancy.
Courteously, again, as it is used here causes the sentence to sound awkward. It's perfectly OK to say that someone is talking courteously with someone although it does sound a little formal. If the man is superior in some way (teacher-student for example) then it would make more sense. Also "talking courteously 'to' a student" would be more correct as far as common usage is concerned. Generally speaking the adverb sounds better if placed after the verb such as "talks courteously".
Your teacher was wrong and had no business criticizing you in the way that she did. You weren't wrong in your sentence just inexperienced. She had no business embarrassing you in front of everyone and it showed a distinct lack of professionalism on her part to do so.
A more "native speaker" way to say it would be "A man wearing a golden necklace talked courteously to a student." or "A man sporting (American slang) a golden necklace talked courteously to a student."

Answer 2

I hear the word "aggrandize" from time to time, but I only hear it in statements that were made about 150 years ago. People do not use that word in modern times.

But, to me, "courteously" is fine.

So, really, the only thing that seems odd to me about this sentence is the word choice of "aggrandize".

But, on a whole other level, I don't understand what the sentence means, because I don't see what the necklace would have to do with the man talking courteously. Is this a translation of a proverb or something?

I'm sorry you were humiliated. Perhaps you could talk to your teacher and explain that the way she handled the situation made you embarrassed.

Answer 3

First of all that English Teacher is an idiot. Ought to have her license revoked (taken away).
A man aggrandized by the golden necklace of a student spoke courteously with a him. I just reworded your sentence a bit.
Apparently it caused this teacher to feel small or something to that effect.
Here's the scoop on the word in argument.
ag·gran·dize /əˈgrændaɪz, ˈægrənˌdaɪz/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[uh-gran-dahyz, ag-ruhn-dahyz] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–verb (used with object), -dized, -diz·ing.
1.to widen in scope; increase in size or intensity; enlarge; extend.
2.to make great or greater in power, wealth, rank, or honor.
3.to make (something) appear greater.
Also, especially British, ag·gran·dise.

[
—Synonyms 2. inflate, strengthen, exalt. 3. magnify.
—Antonyms 1. reduce. 2. diminish. 3. minimize.

Answer 4

i have never heard of the word aggrandized.
I looked it up, and it means:
to widen in scope; increase in size or intensity; enlarge; extend.

So, I am not sure what you mean, that a man increased greater in size by his golden necklace (how can a necklace do that to anyone?)
I don't think you used the word properly in the sentence.
And because of that, i don't understand what an enlarged man and a necklace has to do with speaking courteously to a student?

please explain what you tried to say in the sentence

Answer 5

Although this is fine in French (agrandir), it is not correct in English. You need to look at this verb in context more closely to understand its correct use. Courteously is fine here, although you should remember that it is formal and not in common use.

Answer 6

Aggrandized is a verb right?

It is pretty messed up.

Answer 7

For self-agrandizement is the used I encountered. It is not commonly used that way so your teacher laughed. Use it on bigger idea.