For the following sentence: I want to ravel _ the works of Shakespeare.
Is it in or into, and why?
2007-12-29 00:43:48 · 7 answers · asked by Work Hard, Make Money, Enjoy Life... 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Ravel means to "clarify" by separating the components of something (in this case the works of shakespeare)
2007-12-29 00:52:00 · update #1
ravel - To clarify by separating the aspects of.
No other word needed (with ravel).
I want to ravel the works of Shakespeare.
It would probably be better to say 'unravel' although, strangely enough, ravel and unravel can mean the same thing. 'Unravel' is far more commonly used for the purpose you are suggesting.
2007-12-29 01:03:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure about the word ravel, did you mean revel? If so, you would want to revel IN the works of Shakespeare. Why? Revel is a verb meaning to take great pleasure or delight. You take delight IN something, not into something.
2007-12-29 09:01:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"to ravel" means "to become entangled", so says my dictionary. "To unravel" means to untangle something. You untangle - unravel - wool. Likewise you unravel a tangled, involved problem.
I think that Shakespeare uses "ravel" to mean "to knit up" somewhere, doesn't he? "To ravel up the (something) sleeve of care". The quote has slipped my mind but I think it comes in "Hamlet" somewhere. It makes sense when you consider that knitted fabric is made out of tangles (i.e. the stitches).
Back to your question about what word to use in combination with "ravel" - well, referring to the quotation I gave before, you should say to ravel "up". The verb "to ravel" just doesn't mean "to clarify". though. I know it's not very satisfying when you can't think of a word that will exactly express what you want to say but sometimes when you're stuck you have to make-do.
I gather you want to say "I want to clarify the works of Shakespeare" but in a different way Well forget about worrying and worrying over unfamiliar words that you are unsure of. Just say what you want to say. Say "clarify".
2007-12-29 09:50:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Either just ravel, or ravel out.
I'd go with out.
2007-12-29 10:08:03 · answer #4 · answered by Goddess of Grammar 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not ravel it's revel. And you revel in something not into.
2007-12-29 08:48:27 · answer #5 · answered by penny century 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
one "revels in" something
2007-12-31 09:19:13 · answer #6 · answered by priman_3 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it is ravel on...
2007-12-29 08:55:38 · answer #7 · answered by Maricel S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋