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Soylista Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Time Clause (....when~)
Hello-
I'm wondering if there's any difference between two sentences below and which one would be more natural.
A). Bob was taking a shower when I visited him.
B). Bob took a shower when I visited him.
Thank you for your help!!!
I'm wondering if there's any difference between two sentences below and which one would be more natural.
A). Bob was taking a shower when I visited him.
B). Bob took a shower when I visited him.
Thank you for your help!!!
Top answer
The first one -- A -- seems to me to be the one which might more usually apply or might be more expected in the course of a real visit, although the second -- B -- is also grammatical and possible. A. I went to visit Bob.
- The first one -- A -- seems to me to be the one which might more usually apply or might be more expected in the course of a real visit, although the second -- B -- is also grammatical and possible.
- A.
- I went to visit Bob.
- He was taking a shower.
- Because of this, it took him several minutes to come to the door and let me in.
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8 Answers
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The first one -- A -- seems to me to be the one which might more usually apply or might be more expected in the course of a real visit, although the second -- B -- is also grammatical and possible.
A. I went to visit Bob. He was taking a shower. Because of this, it took him several minutes to come to the door and let me in. (He was taking a shower when I visited him.)
A. I went to visit Bob. He was taking a shower. Because of this, it took him several minutes to come to the door and let me in. (He was taking a shower when I visited him.)
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Hi CJ,
Thank you so much for your reply!! Your explanation made my question clear but sometimes this time clause is pretty confusing.
For now, I'm a bit confused with these sentences.
A) When we finish this essey, we will be free from all the classes. (simple present in the time clause)
B) When we have finished this essey, we will be free from all the cl
Thank you so much for your reply!! Your explanation made my question clear but sometimes this time clause is pretty confusing.
For now, I'm a bit confused with these sentences.
A) When we finish this essey, we will be free from all the classes. (simple present in the time clause)
B) When we have finished this essey, we will be free from all the cl
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IMO:
A. More emphasis on the process and duration of taking a shower and on the simultaneousness with the visit.
B. More emphasis on the event of taking a shower.
A. More emphasis on the process and duration of taking a shower and on the simultaneousness with the visit.
B. More emphasis on the event of taking a shower.
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I think you need at B, should you want to use a prefect form:
B) When we will have finished this essay, we will be free from all the classes.
B) When we will have finished this essay, we will be free from all the classes.
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Marius, are you sure abouth the «will»?
It seems to me, that tense simplification in subordinate clauses [Swan] works very well here, resulting in:
«When we have finished the essay, we will...»
I even think that «will have finished» is incorrect.
«I'll give it to him when I meet him», not «...when I will meet him».
It seems to me, that tense simplification in subordinate clauses [Swan] works very well here, resulting in:
«When we have finished the essay, we will...»
I even think that «will have finished» is incorrect.
«I'll give it to him when I meet him», not «...when I will meet him».
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It's essay, by the way.
When we [finish / have finished] this essay ...
Both are correct. In my opinion, the first is used more often.
when ... will ... is very unusual in such an adverbial clause in English, except among French and Italians translating literally from their native languages.
CJ
When we [finish / have finished] this essay ...
Both are correct. In my opinion, the first is used more often.
when ... will ... is very unusual in such an adverbial clause in English, except among French and Italians translating literally from their native languages.
CJ
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CalifJimwhen ... will ... is very unusual in such an adverbial clause in English, except among French and Italians translating literally from their native languages.Well, these are from the BBC and the House of Commons:
--------
"I'm not saying there will be no service cuts but in three years' time
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AnonymousMarius, are you sure abouth the «will»?
It seems to me, that tense simplification in subordinate clauses [Swan] works very well here, resulting in:
«When we have finished the essay, we will...»
I even think that «will have finished» is incorrect.
«I'll give it to him when I meet him», not «...when I will meet him
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