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Hi teachers,Peter took a shower and got dressed at the very last minute, so Mary and Peter arrived about half an hour late at the bar.Context:Mary: We’re late––thanks to Peter. Now there aren’t any seats. I'm very sorry, Sheila.Question:What happens when they arrive at the bar because of Peter?There aren't any seats.Thanks in advance.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Tenacious LearnerWhat happens when they arrive at the bar because of Peter?There aren't any seats.

Oof! You do come up with some dillies.

The fact that there aren't any seats is an inert state, not a happening.

What happened?
Larry jumped over the fence. (Action.)

It's not easy to form a question of the kind you seem to want here. Maybe, "What is/was the situation ...?"

And that seems a bit incomplete. We usually say, "What was the situation with regard to ...?" In your case it's "What was the situation with regard to seating in the bar when they arrived?" But then you don't want to mention the seating because you want the students to come up with that part. So you're stuck. You want to leave the question so vague that it's nearly impossible to formulate it in an idiomatic way.

In any case, you need "because of Peter" (if you even really mean that) earlier in the sentence.

What is the situation because of Peter when they arrive ...?

But Peter didn't cause the situation of there being no seats, so that doesn't really make sense. Peter's last-minute actions only caused Mary and him to be late. He had no control of what might happen at the bar.

So you've got quite a puzzle here. Personally, I would break up all that information into two or more questions.

Who was responsible for making them late?
What was the situation with regard to seating when they arrived?

CJ

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi Jim,
Wow! Wow!

What else can I ask for?

It's more than a reply. It's a lecture; it's a master class!
Thanks a lot for this very interesting class.

CalifJimYou do come up with some dillies

I didn't know 'dillies'. Now I do. My original question is a dilly.

CalifJimWho was responsible for making them late? What was the situation with regard to seating when they arrived?

Thanks for these questions. They sound just perfect to my ear.

TL

CalifJim · Answer

Tenacious LearnerI didn't know 'dillies'. Now I do.

I figured that. That's why I used the word.

I'm glad you found my answer useful.

CJ

Tenacious Learner · Answer

CalifJimI figured that. That's why I used the word.

Clever boy!

CalifJimI'm glad you found my answer useful.

You certainly did a great job!

TL

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