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Lunchbox Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
did you meant to say/did you mean to say
Hi, this time I've searched for it first before making a post, but I didn't find anything related to what I want to ask, so here it is! Thanks!
"I had no idea there are so many Japanese language schools here..."
"I had no idea there were so many Japanese language schools here..."
Shouldn't I use "there are" since the "Japanese language schools" referenced to are still in existence when I make that statement?
And also,
"Did you meant to say..."
and
"Did you mean to say..."
I hear "Did you mean to say" much more often than the first phrase, even though the whole sentence had happened in the past, why do we say "did you MEAN to say," with mean being in the present tense? Also then, would "had you meant to say" be the most formal way?
As always, thanks for the help!!!!!!!!
"I had no idea there are so many Japanese language schools here..."
"I had no idea there were so many Japanese language schools here..."
Shouldn't I use "there are" since the "Japanese language schools" referenced to are still in existence when I make that statement?
And also,
"Did you meant to say..."
and
"Did you mean to say..."
I hear "Did you mean to say" much more often than the first phrase, even though the whole sentence had happened in the past, why do we say "did you MEAN to say," with mean being in the present tense? Also then, would "had you meant to say" be the most formal way?
As always, thanks for the help!!!!!!!!
Top answer
" The first sentence is correct because the sentence starts with "I had" ( a verb in the past tense). You say "I didn't know you were here" although the person referred to is there when you said that sentence. " The second sentence is correct.
- " The first sentence is correct because the sentence starts with "I had" ( a verb in the past tense).
- You say "I didn't know you were here" although the person referred to is there when you said that sentence.
- " The second sentence is correct.
- The verb after "Did" should be "mean" (present tense).
- This is one of the rules of grammar.
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9 Answers
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"I had no idea there are so many Japanese language schools here..."
"I had no idea there were so many Japanese language schools here..."
The first sentence is correct because the sentence starts with "I had" ( a verb in the past tense). You say "I didn't know you were here" although the person referred to is there when you said that sentence.
"Did you meant to say..."
"I had no idea there were so many Japanese language schools here..."
The first sentence is correct because the sentence starts with "I had" ( a verb in the past tense). You say "I didn't know you were here" although the person referred to is there when you said that sentence.
"Did you meant to say..."
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Hi,
"Did you mean to say..."
The second sentence is correct. The verb after "Did" should be "mean" (present tense). This is one of the rules of grammar. It's really the 'bare' infinitive, rather than the present tense. That's a better way to think of it, otherwise you're liable to confuse yourself as to why past ten
"Did you mean to say..."
The second sentence is correct. The verb after "Did" should be "mean" (present tense). This is one of the rules of grammar. It's really the 'bare' infinitive, rather than the present tense. That's a better way to think of it, otherwise you're liable to confuse yourself as to why past ten
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Yoong Liat"I had no idea there are so many Japanese language schools here..."
"I had no idea there were so many Japanese language schools here..."
The first sentence is correct because the sentence starts with "I had" ( a verb in the past tense). You say "I didn't know you were here" although the person referred to is there when you said that sentence.
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Oh wow, thanks everybody!! So it's called a bare infinitive, that's great, thanks!!
I guess I might as well ask another question I have in this thread:
Eg)
I had been eating when Bob arrived.
I was eating when Bob arrived.
The "was" and "had been" are both past perfect, are they not? Because if "was" is meant as a past simple, that wouldn't make any sense
I guess I might as well ask another question I have in this thread:
Eg)
I had been eating when Bob arrived.
I was eating when Bob arrived.
The "was" and "had been" are both past perfect, are they not? Because if "was" is meant as a past simple, that wouldn't make any sense
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(1) "I had no idea there are so many Japanese language schools here..."
(2) "I had no idea there were so many Japanese language schools here..."
According to Cool Breeze, both sentences are correct but the second one is in keeping with the sequence of tenses and thus preferred by many.
To me:
The first sentence is correct because the sentence s
(2) "I had no idea there were so many Japanese language schools here..."
According to Cool Breeze, both sentences are correct but the second one is in keeping with the sequence of tenses and thus preferred by many.
To me:
The first sentence is correct because the sentence s
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"I had no idea there are so many Japanese language schools here..."
"I had no idea there were so many Japanese language schools here..."
Cool Breeze is the one right: both are correct.
The 1st one emphasises that this situation is still valid now.
Read my quotations from Jespersen, to my mind the **
"I had no idea there were so many Japanese language schools here..."
Cool Breeze is the one right: both are correct.
The 1st one emphasises that this situation is still valid now.
Read my quotations from Jespersen, to my mind the **
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Hi,
I guess I might as well ask another question I have in this thread: It would make life simpler if you started another thread, I think. It makes the discussion easier to follow, and to respond to. OK?
Eg)
I had been eating when Bob arrived.
I was eating when Bob arrived.
The "was" and "had been" are both past perfect, are they not? B
I guess I might as well ask another question I have in this thread: It would make life simpler if you started another thread, I think. It makes the discussion easier to follow, and to respond to. OK?
Eg)
I had been eating when Bob arrived.
I was eating when Bob arrived.
The "was" and "had been" are both past perfect, are they not? B
00
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Hi, I just thought I would help a little with the correct version.
When you saying
“I meant to go to the store, yesterday” it is of course past..
You can also say, “I mean to go to the store tomorrow.” (Future)
Or I meant to remind you of that party but I forgot. (missed it past)
What did you mean by that comment to me?
I am not sure what he meant to say, b
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