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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Past simple with when

Hi,
When she got to London, she learned English for two years.
Is the sentence correct? What is the meaning of 'when'? Does it mean 'after' or ' at the same time'?
  

Top answer

Anonymous Is the sentence correct? Sounds odd. Anonymous What is the meaning of 'when'?

  • Anonymous Is the sentence correct?
  • Sounds odd.
  • Anonymous What is the meaning of 'when'?
  • Does it mean 'after' or ' at the same time'?
  • she learned English for two years.
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6 Answers
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AnonymousIs the sentence correct?
Sounds odd.
AnonymousWhat is the meaning of 'when'? Does it mean 'after' or ' at the same time'?
At the same time

When she got to London means the time she reached London and it does stand well with "....she learned English for two years.

I think this is fine:
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vsureshWhen she got to London means the time she reached London and it does stand well with "....she learned English for two years.
'...does stand well...' or you mean doesn't stand well?
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Anonymous'...does stand well...' or you mean doesn't stand well?
Yes.I missed it.
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I asked about the meaning of 'when' because in grammar books they say sometimes it means 'after', when a clause in the simple past is introduced by 'when', the verb in that clause happens first and so 'when' means 'after'. How can you know whether 'when' means 'at the same time' or ' after'? Why doesn't it mean after in my sentence example?
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When refers to that time or used if we refer to something which happens a little while later.
See these examples:
At that time
When I saw her she smiled.
Anonymouswhen' because in grammar books they say sometimes it means 'after', when a clause in the simple past is introduced by 'when', the verb in that clause happens first and so 'when' m
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vsureshIn your sentence you refer to a two year study after the person reaches London, and that is why I think after is better suited there.
Thanks. This is satisfactory.

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