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Ann225 Posted 6 years ago
Grammar

Past perfect, Lay it on thick

Hi,

1) "The teacher told her that her son had thrown another tantrum and that they'd taken him outside to cool down. She also said that they'd kept him separated from the other kids for the rest of the afternoon.

Should I stick to past perfect in the story or is it acceptable to switch to past simple as I keep going on about what she said?

2) Lay it on thick

Does 'lay it on thick' only mean that someone exaggerates their emotional experience or can it be used in this example as well?

"Our history teacher's given us three assignments in the last two weeks. He's really laying it on thick."

If not, what would you use instead?

Other options that come to mind are 'pile on' or 'bear down on'.

Thank you.

  

Top answer

Ann225 1) "The teacher told her that her son had thrown another tantrum and that they'd taken him outside to cool down. She also said that they'd kept him separated from the other kids for the rest of the afternoon. Should I stick to past perfect in the story or is it acceptable to switch to past simple as I keep going on about what she said?

— CalifJim

  • Ann225 1) "The teacher told her that her son had thrown another tantrum and that they'd taken him outside to cool down.
  • She also said that they'd kept him separated from the other kids for the rest of the afternoon.
  • Should I stick to past perfect in the story or is it acceptable to switch to past simple as I keep going on about what she said?
  • I'd switch to the past simple starting in the second sentence.
  • This is a very common technique in writing narratives.
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1 Answers
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Ann2251) "The teacher told her that her son had thrown another tantrum and that they'd taken him outside to cool down. She also said that they'd kept him separated from the other kids for the rest of the afternoon.
Should I stick to past perfect in the story or is it acceptable to switch to past simple as I keep going on about what she said?

I'd switch

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