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Behnam A Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Sentence meaning

Hi,
What does this sentence mean ?
" he told me he gets here when he gets here"
  

Top answer

" It can have a number of meanings depending on context. Most often it means that he will arrive whenever he wants. Don't expect him at any specific time, maybe not at all.

— MalRey

  • " It can have a number of meanings depending on context.
  • Most often it means that he will arrive whenever he wants.
  • Don't expect him at any specific time, maybe not at all.
  • If you say this to someone it will probably be taken as rude and maybe a bit aggressive.
  • If A says it of B it could be that that A is telling you that B is unreliable and can't be depended on.
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8 Answers
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Behnam AHi,What does this sentence mean ?" he told me he gets here when he gets here"
Here is the more common formulation "he will get here when he gets here." It can have a number of meanings depending on context. Most often it means that he will arrive whenever he wants. Don't expect him at any specific time, maybe not at
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It's a figure of speech. It means he will not commit himself to getting here at any specific time.

"I'll be there at 2 pm" - I make a commitment that I will be there at a specific time.

"I'll be there when I get there" - I make no commitment. The time I get there is the time I get there, nothing more, nothing less.
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Thank you very much
And another question: Can we use this structure for other verbs ?
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hi,

It's a reply phrased in form of a meaningless tautology.
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Behnam ACan we use this structure for other verbs ?
Yes, but it's not a common structure, so you probably won't have much occasion to use it.

I'll get there when I get there.

He'll start (the job) when he starts.

Mom will wake up when she wakes up.

CJ
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It means the person isn't worrying about when they'll arrive somewhere. Maybe tomorrow maybe next week the person doesn't care when they'll be at a certain place.
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