times cryptic jumbo 742 26down

[flemingo]

is 26d shrivels? It doesn't seem to fit with "dried"

[ulysses100]

what's the clue ?

[flemingo]

the clue is "receives confession about last of industrial contracts having dried" . I have s_r_v_l_

[sohcahtoa]

I put SHRIVELS even though, as you say, it would need to be "dries"

[ulysses100]

receives confession = shrives, around last letter of "industrial" look OK to me

[johnalex]

I reckon the wordplay is Shrivels = Contracts (opposite of Expands), after drying or 'having dried'.

[geo0939]

Surely to shrivel is to dry AND contract, or to tighten.

[johnalex]

Agree with you Geo, just trying to validate the grammar in this clue. Both Shrivels and Contracts (after having dried!) are present tense, whereas Dried is past tense.

The setter has planted a red herring with 'industrial contracts' although both words are needed separately for the answer. Anyway, I reckon we should give it a Kite Mark.

Regards, ja

[geo0939]

Consider the humble raisin JA; the grape, having been dried, contracts and shrivels.
I know it's a bit of fun, but it works.

[johnalex]

Geo, I fully understand the shrivelling characteristics of grapes and raisins. What I don't understand is why you are trying to diminish my answer to the second part of this clue, which is simply to focus on 'contracts' rather than 'dried', for the answer to 'stack up' gramatically.

The clue would still be sound without the last two words which are not worthy of any further debate.

[geo0939]

JA, let me assure you that there was no intent, in any way. to diminish your answer. You may have noticed that in my last enrty, the words dried, contracts and shrivels are all used in a gramatically correct sentence, which was the sole reason for a somewhat tongue-in-cheek entry. I did say it was a bit of fun.
geo.

[johnalex]

AOK Geo . . . storm in a teacup. Best Wishes, ja