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Sitifan Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

my new pair of glasses?

Amy: Do you like my new pair of glasses?
Mom: Yes, ___ beautiful on you.
(A) it is (B) they were (C) there were (D) they are
Which choice do you think is correct?
  

Top answer

(D) is the only natural choice. Absent context, we assume they're presently being worn. " This is especially true if this pair of glasses has been chosen and acquired.

— Avangi

  • (D) is the only natural choice.
  • Absent context, we assume they're presently being worn.
  • " This is especially true if this pair of glasses has been chosen and acquired.
  • " would be answered, "I think they look beautiful," even though they're not presently being worn.
  • " I'd say the reply could be in either present or past tense.
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3 Answers
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(D) is the only natural choice. Absent context, we assume they're presently being worn.

Even if these characters are talking today about glasses that were worn and viewed yesterday, it would be natural to say, "Yes, they look / are beautiful on you."

This is especially true if this pair of glasses has been chosen and acquired. If she still hasn't made up her mind, and we're ta
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Edit. I think it's really no different than, "What do / did you think of my new boyfriend?" The person being questioned may have seen him only last night, but the answer would be natural in either tense.
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Edit. Perhaps in the case of the boyfriend, there'd be a greater tendency to refer to him in the past, since this might have been a first meeting, and the person being questioned would be referring to the boy's actions yesterday.

But the glasses should not take so long to reveal their personality.
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