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Difference in meaning between sentences

 
 
Reply Wed 6 Feb, 2008 09:27 pm
We had a chat as we were waiting.
We were having a chat as we waited.

Are both sentences correct and is there a difference in meaning between them?

Many thanks.
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Type: Discussion • Score: 2 • Views: 576 • Replies: 8
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gustavratzenhofer
 
  1  
Reply Wed 6 Feb, 2008 09:28 pm
No difference -- both correct.
0 Replies
 
gustavratzenhofer
 
  1  
Reply Wed 6 Feb, 2008 09:30 pm
Now go ahead and ask someone else their opinion; you always do, and, it hurts me deeply.
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dadpad
 
  1  
Reply Thu 7 Feb, 2008 02:45 am
Gus is your friend Yoong.
0 Replies
 
Roberta
 
  1  
Reply Thu 7 Feb, 2008 04:23 am
Re: Difference in meaning between sentences
I agree with gus.

The only mistake is in the question. It's a run-on sentence. Add a comma after "correct."


Yoong Liat wrote:
Are both sentences correct and is there a difference in meaning between them?

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McTag
 
  1  
Reply Thu 7 Feb, 2008 04:30 am
Re: Difference in meaning between sentences
Yoong Liat wrote:
We had a chat as we were waiting.
We were having a chat as we waited.

Are both sentences correct and is there a difference in meaning between them?

Many thanks.


I think there is a difference in meaning, at least you could make a difference if you tried. (I'm not sure a difference was intended, and they could easily equally likely be construed as the same) Am I making any sense? Perhaps not.

Sentence #1

Because we were waiting, and were together, we chatted.
(Mentioning the waiting is the most important feature here)

Sentence #2

We were having a chat. The waiting is more incidental.
(The conversation is the most important feature here)

But really I'm splitting hairs a bit, I think.
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Francis
 
  1  
Reply Thu 7 Feb, 2008 04:35 am
Re: Difference in meaning between sentences
McTag wrote:
But really I'm splitting hairs a bit, I think.


Scientifically, it's called capillotomy. Very Happy
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Yoong Liat
 
  1  
Reply Thu 7 Feb, 2008 05:28 am
gustavratzenhofer wrote:
Now go ahead and ask someone else their opinion; you always do, and, it hurts me deeply.


I trust you when you're sober. Sometimes I wonder whether you are drinking or have drunk when you answer my question.
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McTag
 
  1  
Reply Thu 7 Feb, 2008 07:43 am
Yoong Liat wrote:
gustavratzenhofer wrote:
Now go ahead and ask someone else their opinion; you always do, and, it hurts me deeply.


I trust you when you're sober. Sometimes I wonder whether you are drinking or have drunk when you answer my question.


Gus drinks deeply at the well of loopy juice.

Smile
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