To do vs to have done

Question

What is the difference between1) I was supposed to arrive at the station at seven.2) I was supposed to have arrived at the station at seven.I guess the sentence 2 would express the speaker's frustration more clearly.

Prajwalkr · Accepted Answer

Hi

I guess the sentence 2 would express the speaker's frustration more clearly.

I don't think so.

What is the difference between
1) I was supposed to arrive at the station at seven.
2) I was supposed to have arrived at the station at seven.

Tricky ones. This is what the reader will understand by reading these sentences:

1. Here, you are in agreement with somebody that you will arrive at seven. Also, the reader doesn't know whether you did that task or not. We need another sentence to tell this.

2. Here, there is an unspoken agreement that the proper thing to do is arrive at seven. But the reader knows that you did not do the task.

Prajwal

Anonymous · Answer

Thank for the clear answer!
I used the word 'frustrated' to refer to the failure ( to fail to do the task). So I think my question was confusing.

anyway, thanks a million.

Regards · Answer

Hi,

AnonymousWas (supposed) to do vs. was (supposed) to have done

I assume the following thread might be of help to you:

If you read this thread carefully, the difference between the two constructions may become much easier
for you to comprehend.

Regards

To do vs to have done

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