The first time of using it

Question

1-I had problems with this machine at the first time of usng it.
2-I had problems with this machine at the first time of the using of it.

3-I had problems with this machine at the first time of my using it.
4-I had problems with this machine at the first time of my using of it.

In which case:
a-I had problems with this machine the first time I used it.
and in which:
b-I had problems with this machine in the first stages (or the first stage) of my using it.

Gratefully,
Navi.

Leah S · Accepted Answer

Sorry, I'm not sure what you mean, which of of 1-4 is A or B, or what your question is.

Navitasan · Answer

Thank you Leah for both your replies.
I am sorry.
I meant to ask which of the sentences 1-4 corresponded to which of the cases a and b.

Which mean "a" and which mean "b"?

Gratefully,
Navi.

Leah S · Answer

Ah yes, after seeing your other question this one makes more sense.

Did you write the sentences in purple?

I ask because this is a tricky question. If you wrote the purple ones, as I am expecting, that is fine, although none of them make real sense in a native way. (The point being if they were given, that's worrying!

)

Anyway, they are all rather complicated and full of unnecessary words. A) is the best; B) is clear enough as well; although I wouldn't really consider it a common phrasing, it makes sense if I haven't just read all of 1-4. The issue is that nothing I see in 1-4 really means that to me.

I could try to help correct 1-4 if that is your main goal, but if you just want a check of 1-4 (which I am guessing is your work), that is my feedback. I don't really discern a difference in the 1-2/3-4 meanings. I hope that is somewhat helpful.

Navitasan · Answer

Thank you very much Leah. That is helpful indeed.

Gratefully,
Navi.

Leah S · Answer

For what it's worth, I'm having a hard time thinking of how to rephrase A beyond swapping in synonyms. I guess something like, "This machine was problematic when I first used it." B is essentially the same to my mind, but it may imply there were multiple steps, and only the first few were tricky.

Anyway, good luck.

The first time of using it

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