Ser Rodrik would never have told him.
Could you help me analyze an example?
How could Littlefinger have known she was here? Ser Rodrik would never have told him. Old he might be, but he was stubborn, and loyal to a fault. (A Game of Thrones)
Context: Littlefinger knew she was here in advance and sent his men to escort her to him. Ser Rodrik was her company. He was out on an errand.

I wonder if this “would never have” is a hypothetical/unreal/imaginary situation?
Thank you.

Question

Ser Rodrik would never have told him.
Could you help me analyze an example?
How could Littlefinger have known she was here? Ser Rodrik would never have told him. Old he might be, but he was stubborn, and loyal to a fault. (A Game of Thrones)
Context: Littlefinger knew she was here in advance and sent his men to escort her to him. Ser Rodrik was her company. He was out on an errand.

I wonder if this “would never have” is a hypothetical/unreal/imaginary situation?
Thank you.

Answer

Hi,

"Would never have told him" in this context means that there would be no situation (that the narrator could 'think' of at this particular point in time) where Ser Rodrik would have told Little Finger that she was there. It is even emphasized in the sentence that follows: "Old he might be, but he was stubborn, and loyal to a fault."

Hope this helps!

Answers · 1

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