It was a sizeable establishment and did well.

[hhtt21]

Among Jack Harvey's interests was a funeral business in Whitechapel. It was a sizeable establishment and did well, for, as he liked to joke, the dead were always with us.

Source: The Eye of the Storm by Jack Higgins.

1) It is confounding to understand the meaning of "establishment" used here? Is it a firm?

2) What does "did well" mean here? Does it mean it is a thriving establishment?

3) I do not understand how "for" is used here?

Thank you.

 

[Rover_KE]

Re: A confusing sentence.

1) Yes.

2) Yes.

3) It means 'because'.

***

I have changed your thread title.


'Thread titles should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.'

 

[hhtt21]

Re: A confusing sentence.

Why it is not the deads instead of the dead?

Thank you.

 

[Barb_D]

Re: A confusing sentence.

When we use an adjective to create a noun, it stays in the adjective form. We don't add an S.

Dead people: The dead
Homeless people: The homeless
Rich people: The rich
Send me your tired and poor people: Give your tired, your poor..

 

[hhtt21]

Re: A confusing sentence.

"It was a sizeable establishment and did well"

Can we find another phrase instead of "did well" here?

Thank you.

 

[tedmc]

Re: A confusing sentence.

"It was a sizeable establishment and did well"

Can we find another phrase instead of "did well" here?

Thank you.

did well - thrived/ flourished/was successful
or
It was a sizeable, thriving establishment.

 

[hhtt21]

Re: A confusing sentence.

​prospered

did well - thrived/ flourished/was successful
or
It was a sizeable, thriving establishment.

"Prospered" and "was successful" would retain the subclause but "thriving establishment" would not.

Thank you.

 

[hhtt21]

Re: A confusing sentence.

Can we use "it was a big establishment" instead of "it was a sizeable establishment." ?

Thank you.