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Vincent Teo Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
About the tools
Can I say,
(a) A man who is taking / takes a toolbox came by.
(b) He tried using his tools to help me open the car door while I waited for him.
(c) The man took (out) his tools from the set of toolbox to fix / repair the car door.
(d) She is an unforgetful / forgetful woman.
(a) A man who is taking / takes a toolbox came by.
(b) He tried using his tools to help me open the car door while I waited for him.
(c) The man took (out) his tools from the set of toolbox to fix / repair the car door.
(d) She is an unforgetful / forgetful woman.
Top answer
Vincent Teo, (a) is open to objection since the sequence of tenses is neglected here. Besides, it formally suggests that the action of 'coming by' took place against the background of some longer, continuous action - in this sense 'take' is impossible, since it implies momentary action in this very case. (b) - if your intention is to place emphasis on the duration of your waiting him, resort to past progressive.
- Vincent Teo, (a) is open to objection since the sequence of tenses is neglected here.
- Besides, it formally suggests that the action of 'coming by' took place against the background of some longer, continuous action - in this sense 'take' is impossible, since it implies momentary action in this very case.
- (b) - if your intention is to place emphasis on the duration of your waiting him, resort to past progressive.
- Simple past in this instance focuses on the mere fact of waiting.
- (c) is correct.
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2 Answers
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Vincent Teo,
(a) is open to objection since the sequence of tenses is neglected here. Besides, it formally suggests that the action of 'coming by' took place against the background of some longer, continuous action - in this sense 'take' is impossible, since it implies momentary action in this very case.
(b) - if your intention is to place emphasis on the duration of your waitin
(a) is open to objection since the sequence of tenses is neglected here. Besides, it formally suggests that the action of 'coming by' took place against the background of some longer, continuous action - in this sense 'take' is impossible, since it implies momentary action in this very case.
(b) - if your intention is to place emphasis on the duration of your waitin
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Thanks for your comments, but can you give me more clear sentences? Actually, I'm not very clear about your comments! Thanks!
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