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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Can they be used with simple tense?

Hi,

Can I use these words with simple tense in the following sentences?

1.They dated each other for a period of time last year.

2.They saw each other for a period of time last year.
('Saw' means having a romantic relationship with someone.)

Thanks a lot.
  

Top answer

The first sentence is correct but I think I would say: They dated for a/some time last year. See doesn't mean to date , but you could say: They went steady for a while last year , for example. CB

— Cool Breeze

  • The first sentence is correct but I think I would say: They dated for a/some time last year.
  • See doesn't mean to date , but you could say: They went steady for a while last year , for example.
  • CB
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16 Answers
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The first sentence is correct but I think I would say: They dated for a/some time last year. See doesn't mean to date, but you could say: They went steady for a while last year, for example.

CB
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Hi CB,

I am confused about your answer about 'see'.

Why does 'see' not mean 'date'?

Doesn't see mean 'date' in my sentence?

Thanks.
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<< 2.They saw each other for a period of time last year.
('Saw' means having a romantic relationship with someone.) >>
Cool Breeze See doesn't mean to date, but you could say: They
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Also in the UK we use "see" informally to mean date.

Though, per Avangi, it would more usual for #2 to be "They were seeing each other for a period of time last year."
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Mr WordyAlso in the UK we use "see" informally to mean date.

Though, per Avangi, it would more usual for #2 to be "They were seeing each other for a period of time last year."

Hello Mr Wordy & Avangi

My apologies for giving incorrect information.
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Hi Avangi and Mr Wordy,

Thank you very much.

"They saw each other for a period of time last year."

Is the 'saw' not correct and should we say "were seeing" here?

Thanks.
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Anonymous
"They saw each other for a period of time last year."

Is the 'saw' not correct and should we say "were seeing" here?


To me, "saw" is not actually wrong -- it's just that "were seeing" seems more likely.
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AnonymousThey saw each other for a period of time last year.
My two cents.

As soon as I read this I took it to mean They dated each other.... I didn't even need to read the note about "a romantic relationship". It sounds fine to me exactly as it is, though I would have used the less formal "for a while" instead of "for a period of time".
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Hi Mr Wordy and CJ,

Thank you both very much for your replies.

Could you help me check if 'see' (to mean 'date') can be used with simple present tense as in

"Do you and Peter see each other?"

Or should we say

"Are you and Peter seeing each other?"

Thanks.
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Anonymous
Could you help me check if 'see' (to mean 'date') can be used with simple present tense as in

"Do you and Peter see each other?"

No, not in the dating sense. To me, this is just asking whether they ever meet.
Anonymous
Or should we say

"Are you and Peter seeing each other?"

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