in versus at

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi,

Which version of the idiom do you find natural?

  1. Act in haste repent in leisure.
  2. Act in haste repent at leisure.

I think I’ve encountered both versions.
Thanks!

2

The version I know is “at leisure”.

There should be a comma or semicolon in that sentence.

3

My vote goes to ‘at leisure’ too.

4
  1. Act in haste repent at leisure.
  2. Act in haste repents at leisure.
    Which one is correct?
5

Thank you guys!

As Dozy righteously commented, I did not punctuate it properly. It should read this way:

Act in haste, repent at leisure.

Now you can see why “repents” doesn’t fit here. =)

6

Our Tort System,
“Act in haste, repent at leisure.”
When we punctuate as above, how can we say the subject is plural?
Could you please explain the grammar involved.
Thanks.

7

The sentence doesn’t have a subject, because it’s imperative.
It’s akin to an order/instruction, as in:

  1. Do what I tell you!
    or
  2. Pay attention in class!"
    or
  3. Start working now, reap profits lates.

You could reword it this way:
If you act in haste, then you’ll repent about your hasty actions (at leisure).

8

From one of my on-line dictionaries

“Marry in haste, repent at leisure!”

Thanks for the topic