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Mitsuo23 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Difference between evening and evenings
Hi,
Both of the pieces below are from the same book, Me Talk Pretty One Day, and I would like to understand why the first says, In the evening"s" while the second says, In the late afternoon. I think both scenes were repeated regularly or irregularly, so afternoon"s" in the second sentence should be more proper as well. It there anything to do with the difference between "used to" and "would"?
In the evenings, lacking anything better to do, I used to head east and stare into the windows of the handsome, Single-family town houses, wondering what went on in those well-appointed rooms.
In the late afternoon we would often be visited by one or more of the failed Beat poets who always, very coincidentally, seemed to find themselves in the neighborhood.
Thank you,
m
Both of the pieces below are from the same book, Me Talk Pretty One Day, and I would like to understand why the first says, In the evening"s" while the second says, In the late afternoon. I think both scenes were repeated regularly or irregularly, so afternoon"s" in the second sentence should be more proper as well. It there anything to do with the difference between "used to" and "would"?
In the evenings, lacking anything better to do, I used to head east and stare into the windows of the handsome, Single-family town houses, wondering what went on in those well-appointed rooms.
In the late afternoon we would often be visited by one or more of the failed Beat poets who always, very coincidentally, seemed to find themselves in the neighborhood.
Thank you,
m
Top answer
It just looks like "evenings" is necessary, because the repeated nature isn't as clear from the context like it is in the second sentence. "Often" is near "late afternoon", making it more clear that it is a repeated action.
- It just looks like "evenings" is necessary, because the repeated nature isn't as clear from the context like it is in the second sentence.
- "Often" is near "late afternoon", making it more clear that it is a repeated action.
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7 Answers
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It just looks like "evenings" is necessary, because the repeated nature isn't as clear from the context like it is in the second sentence.
"Often" is near "late afternoon", making it more clear that it is a repeated action.
"Often" is near "late afternoon", making it more clear that it is a repeated action.
00
Thank you for the reply,
VorparIt just looks like "evenings" is necessary, because the repeated nature isn't as clear from the context like it is in the second sentence.I think "I used to head east" is clear enough to suggest it was a repeated action.
Vorpar "Often" is near "late afternoon", making it more clear that
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mitsuwao23anything to do with the difference between "used to" and "would"?No. The singular and plural are pretty much in free variation in this kind of sentence.
In the [morning / mornings / afternoon / afternoons / evening / evenings] we [would / used to] ...
CJ
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CalifJimNo. The singular and plural are pretty much in free variation in this kind of sentence.Sorry but let me make it clear because I wasn't sure of "this kind of" sentence. Do you mean "in the evening" and "in the evenings" are interchangeable in some sentence?
CJ
Thank you,
m
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mitsuwao23this kindSentences that show habitual actions in the past with "used to" or "would" may contain the singular or plural of words like morning(s), afternoon(s), evening(s).
CJ
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Also 'would' is an idicator of a repetitive action if Im not mistaken.
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