Reply
Tue 23 Feb, 2010 04:51 pm
here's my question:
if i am referring to myself in past tense and i make a statement such as "i spoke better English than they did" is my use of English grammar wrong? I've been having this debate for sometime now and some people say the correct way to say it would be "i was speaking English better then they were". i would really like to know which way is correct.
Yes, you are correct:
The meaning is:
I spoke better English than they (spoke) did."
@leini,
Both sentences are correct-- they is just two different tenses.
@ebrown p,
Your first example is simple past tense, the second example is past progressive tense.
@leini,
Quote:... and some people say the correct way to say it would be
Leini, as soon as you hear anyone say "the correct way", you can be pretty sure that they don't know much about how language is used.
cool
i was initially sure i was correct, but after playing it back in my head a few times i started to doubt myself. good to know, thanks!
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