0
Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Did Not/Had Not

Thanks for reading my question:

I DID not have the intention to do that, and
I HAD not had the intention to do that.

Do they have the same meaning..., I was talking about the past.

Someone told me that the first one is more for British Eng and the second one is more for American Eng, is that correct?

Thanks
  

Top answer

"I did not have the intention" (simple past) refers to a specific time in the past. " I am not aware of any differences in this respect between BrE and AmE. *But note that the past perfect isn't mandatory in cases like this.

— Mr Wordy

  • "I did not have the intention" (simple past) refers to a specific time in the past.
  • " I am not aware of any differences in this respect between BrE and AmE.
  • *But note that the past perfect isn't mandatory in cases like this.
  • Sometimes people don't bother and just use the simple past instead.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

2 Answers
0
"I did not have the intention" (simple past) refers to a specific time in the past.

"I had not had the intention" (past perfect) refers to a time in the past before some other past time that has been referenced.* For example: "Until last Monday, I had not had the intention..."

I am not aware of any differences in this respect between BrE and AmE.

0
0
Thanks very much Mr Wordy!
0

Related Questions