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Davidrock65 Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

intend

Dear teachers
a)if you come, something might happen, which is not what you intend in the first place.
b)if you come, something might happen, which is not what you intended in the first place.
Which one is correct? Could you also explain why the other is incorrect?
Thanks for help!
  

Top answer

Either is possible, depending on whether you want to talk about the current intention or about the time in the past when the intention was first formed. "in the first place" suggests a past event, so I hear the second version as the better of the two. CJ

— CalifJim

  • Either is possible, depending on whether you want to talk about the current intention or about the time in the past when the intention was first formed.
  • "in the first place" suggests a past event, so I hear the second version as the better of the two.
  • CJ
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2 Answers
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Either is possible, depending on whether you want to talk about the current intention or about the time in the past when the intention was first formed. "in the first place" suggests a past event, so I hear the second version as the better of the two.

CJ
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