like herself or like her difference in meaning/ ...convicted five times more than

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

Hi everyone,

I heard this sentence on television on DVD. When I rewinded it afterwards I set up the subtitles for the hearing impaired in order to make sure I’d heard it correctly. This is it:

  • ‘She’s already made contact with Mr. Zamarkian over there, and you know how easily impressed he is with cheap little trinkets like herself.’ If I replaced ‘like herself’ with ‘like her’ would there be any significant difference in meaning? If not, why do you suppose the writers used ‘like herself’ instead of ‘like her’?

There’s another sentence I heard on TV last night and I wonder if it is correct and whether I heard it correctly or not:

  • ‘Black and Latinos are convicted to death penalty five times more than white people.’ From ‘The Life of David Gale’, starring Kate Winslett.

By the way, is ‘rewinding a dvd’ correct usage?

Thanks
Alexandro

2

No significant difference in meaning.

I can’t comment on whether you heard it correctly or not, but it isn’t quite correct as written.

Replayed a DVD

3

Thanks Beeesneees,

What do you mean with: ‘it isn’t quite correct as written.’? Should it be: ‘Blacks and Latinos are given/ receive the death penalty five times more than white people.’? What would you suggest?

Oh and there’s something else. I also heard it and correctly: ‘How could I have known you would have shown up?’. I’d use: ‘How could I know you would show up?’ Yet, I think there’s a significant difference in time, but I’m not sure. Would you be so kind as to help me again? I really appreciate your comments.

Thanks
Alexandro

4

Since you haven’t been able to answer, I assume I corrected myself and that my intuition about the time difference is correct. Thanks anyway.

Alexandro

5

That would not be a good assumption to make.

I tried answering but forum problems stopped me from posting.

6

I’m very sorry, please accept my apologies, I knew there were forum problems. I should have thought of that.
Would you please be so kind as to post an answer to my previous questions. In future I shall wait more patiently. Thanks.