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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
I thought... make vs. made
Customer: Can I have tuna sushi, please?
Server: I'm sorry, we don't make sushi.
Customer: Oh, I thought you (make, made) sushi, but I was wrong.
1. I understand that in sentences introduced by "I thought", the succeeding verbs regress with the main verb "thought" and is more preferred , but I wonder if this is preferred, as well, in the example above when talking about what one normally does or doesn't do. To my ear, "make" sounds more correct, but if backshifting is to be followed, "made" should be the choice. Which do you think sounds more appropriate?
2. Do you think I should put article "a" before "tuna sushi" or "sushi", ie. a tuna sushi in the first sentence and a sushi in the second sentence above?
3. If "make" is the correct choice, should I say "...but I am wrong" instead?
Please help. Thank you in advance.
Server: I'm sorry, we don't make sushi.
Customer: Oh, I thought you (make, made) sushi, but I was wrong.
1. I understand that in sentences introduced by "I thought", the succeeding verbs regress with the main verb "thought" and is more preferred , but I wonder if this is preferred, as well, in the example above when talking about what one normally does or doesn't do. To my ear, "make" sounds more correct, but if backshifting is to be followed, "made" should be the choice. Which do you think sounds more appropriate?
2. Do you think I should put article "a" before "tuna sushi" or "sushi", ie. a tuna sushi in the first sentence and a sushi in the second sentence above?
3. If "make" is the correct choice, should I say "...but I am wrong" instead?
Please help. Thank you in advance.
Top answer
Hi, Customer: Can I have tuna sushi, please? Server: I'm sorry, we don't make sushi. Customer: Oh, I thought you ( make, made ) sushi, but I was wrong.
- Hi, Customer: Can I have tuna sushi, please?
- Server: I'm sorry, we don't make sushi.
- Customer: Oh, I thought you ( make, made ) sushi, but I was wrong.
- 1.
- I understand that in sentences introduced by "I thought", the succeeding verbs regress with the main verb "thought" and is more preferred , but I wonder if this is preferred, as well, in the example above when talking about what one normally does or doesn't do.
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9 Answers
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Hi,
Customer: Can I have tuna sushi, please?
Server: I'm sorry, we don't make sushi.
Customer: Oh, I thought you (make, made) sushi, but I was wrong.
1. I understand that in sentences introduced by "I thought", the succeeding verbs regress with the main verb "thought" and is more preferred , but I wonder if this is preferred, as well, in the example above w
Customer: Can I have tuna sushi, please?
Server: I'm sorry, we don't make sushi.
Customer: Oh, I thought you (make, made) sushi, but I was wrong.
1. I understand that in sentences introduced by "I thought", the succeeding verbs regress with the main verb "thought" and is more preferred , but I wonder if this is preferred, as well, in the example above w
00
Thank you so much for the explanations and for improving my dialogue. I've learned a lot.
Cliveyes, in the sense of 'a portion of tuna sushi'.I just have a question on the meaning of "portion". For example, on a KFC's menu, there is a line which says 3 pieces of chicken wings. If I say "Can I have one portion of chicken wings?", is it unders
00
Hi,
I just have a question on the meaning of "portion". For example, on a KFC's menu, there is a line which says 3 pieces of chicken wings. If I say "Can I have one portion of chicken wings?", is it understood that I mean "3 pieces of chicken wings"? Yes, definitely.
I wo
I just have a question on the meaning of "portion". For example, on a KFC's menu, there is a line which says 3 pieces of chicken wings. If I say "Can I have one portion of chicken wings?", is it understood that I mean "3 pieces of chicken wings"? Yes, definitely.
I wo
00
I now understand that "a portion" is the same as saying "an order".
I thought "a portion" literally meant "a part", ie. one part = a leg / a thigh / a wing of a chicken.
Thank you very much for helping with this.
I thought "a portion" literally meant "a part", ie. one part = a leg / a thigh / a wing of a chicken.
Thank you very much for helping with this.
00
in other contexts, portion does have a different shade of meaning:
In hospitals, people on a diet are given the same food, but in smaller portions.
The portions of food served in many restaurants have increased over the years.
In hospitals, people on a diet are given the same food, but in smaller portions.
The portions of food served in many restaurants have increased over the years.
00
I see "portion" can also mean "serving size" like in your example sentences.
Thank you for that additional information.
Thank you for that additional information.
00
Hi,
Indeed.
But in a restaurant, portion sizes are normally fixed.
Although sometimes there may be eg small / medium / large.
For such items, you would typically say
Indeed.
But in a restaurant, portion sizes are normally fixed.
Although sometimes there may be eg small / medium / large.
For such items, you would typically say
00
Thank you for that extra info. I appreciate it. I'm glad to have found this forum. I'm learning a lot.
00
CliveFor such items, you would typically sayIn one notorious fast food chain, you say:
eg 'a large (order of) fries, please'.
Super-size me.
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