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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Vocabulary
Doing vs having done
Hi.
I regret not doing it earlier.
I regret not having done it earlier.
What's the difference in meaning, if any, between these sentences.
Thank you.
I regret not doing it earlier.
I regret not having done it earlier.
What's the difference in meaning, if any, between these sentences.
Thank you.
Top answer
Hi, Both are correct and, in this context, mean exactly the same thing, but in the second sentence the use of "having" emphasises that the action was in the past and completed. Either is fine though
- Hi, Both are correct and, in this context, mean exactly the same thing, but in the second sentence the use of "having" emphasises that the action was in the past and completed.
- Either is fine though
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3 Answers
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Hi,
Both are correct and, in this context, mean exactly the same thing, but in the second sentence the use of "having" emphasises that the action was in the past and completed.
Either is fine though
Both are correct and, in this context, mean exactly the same thing, but in the second sentence the use of "having" emphasises that the action was in the past and completed.
Either is fine though
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Alice1Hi,Both are correct and, in this context, mean exactly the same thing, but in the second sentence the use of "having" emphasises that the action was in the past and completed.Either is fine thoughI regret not doing it earlier.
I regret not having done it earlier.
Thank you, Alice, for your reply. My question is: how come that
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It's hard to explain - I think that by saying "I regret not having done it earlier" you are talking about an imaginary situation where you did do it, and completed it. And you regret that situation not happening. That's the best way I can explain it, but there might be some technical explanation - I'm not a grammarian though.
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