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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Inversion.

BBC news: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-17930131

Victoria Nuland later said "At no time did any US officials speak to Chen about physical or legal threats to his wife and children."

I get confused that don't know which meaning is correct about the sentence above. please help thanks.

1: US officials speak to Chen about physical or legal threats to his wife and children at no time.

2: No any US officials speak to Chen about physical or legal threats to his wife and children at any time.

3: US officials did not speak to Chen about physical or legal threats to his wife and children at any time.
  

Top answer

Hi, 3 A simpler example. At no time did Mary smile. She didn't smile.

— Clive

  • Hi, 3 A simpler example.
  • At no time did Mary smile.
  • She didn't smile.
  • She never smiled.
  • She did not smile at any time.
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3 Answers
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Hi,

3

A simpler example.
At no time did Mary smile. She didn't smile. She never smiled. She did not smile at any time.


Clive
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Anonymous3: US officials did not speak to Chen about physical or legal threats to his wife and children at any time.
This is the only version that is both accurate and grammatically correct. If you take this version and change it as shown you might find it more understandable.

3: US officials never spoke to Chen abo
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