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It is the first time I have encountered such a use of "a" combined with an -ing form.Maybe you will be a-basking in the sun this afternoon. Is there any reasonable explanation?

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    For more examples, see the Twelve days of Christmas
    – Stephie
    Commented Oct 20, 2015 at 18:30
  • There are different hystorical explanatios , but non of them is definitive.
    – mido mido
    Commented Oct 20, 2015 at 19:17

1 Answer 1

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It is a southern reference, without reason. You might go a-huntin' for rabbits, or be a-baskin' in the sun. I spend time correcting my southern influenced grammar and vocabulary, I will have to watch out for this one.

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    -1 for "without reason". Josh61's comment, above, included a link to a reasonable explanation before you posted this answer.
    – Kristina Lopez
    Commented Oct 20, 2015 at 19:16
  • Lama, do you think it is used only in southern American dialects.
    – mido mido
    Commented Oct 20, 2015 at 19:23

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