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Jobb Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Two days ago
Jack sang in a park this morning (Dec.29) as he did on Dec.28 and on Dec.27.
Can we express the above as:
Jack sang in a park this morning as he did two days ago.
I think "two days ago" is wrong. Because that meant he did on Dec.27, it is unclear whether he did on Dec.28 or not.
But how to express this?
Can we express the above as:
Jack sang in a park this morning as he did two days ago.
I think "two days ago" is wrong. Because that meant he did on Dec.27, it is unclear whether he did on Dec.28 or not.
But how to express this?
Top answer
' -- he sang on the 29th and 27th. ' -- he sang on the 29th, 28th and 27th. You could also express this as 'as he did on the two days before', Jobb.
- ' -- he sang on the 29th and 27th.
- ' -- he sang on the 29th, 28th and 27th.
- You could also express this as 'as he did on the two days before', Jobb.
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5 Answers
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'Jack sang in a park this morning as he did two days ago.' -- he sang on the 29th and 27th.
'Jack sang in a park this morning, as he did the two previous days.' -- he sang on the 29th, 28th and 27th. You could also express this as 'as he did on the two days before', Jobb.
'Jack sang in a park this morning, as he did the two previous days.' -- he sang on the 29th, 28th and 27th. You could also express this as 'as he did on the two days before', Jobb.
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I indeed wanted to use "previous", fearing that you native English speakers would not speak in that way.
In my Chinese ears, "two days before" = "two days ago". Wow, what a misunderstanding!
In my Chinese ears, "two days before" = "two days ago". Wow, what a misunderstanding!
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In my opinion the second clause would be better if the past perfect had been used:
"Jack sang in the park this morning as he had done the two previous days."
Do you agrre with me Mr.M?
NON CON
"Jack sang in the park this morning as he had done the two previous days."
Do you agrre with me Mr.M?
NON CON
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All of this is too complex for my ears. How about:
Today, for the third morning in a row, Jack sang in the park.
Today, for the third morning in a row, Jack sang in the park.
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Morning, Non Con--
'Better'? I would probably use the past perfect here if I were writing a thesis, a careful formal letter, or a piece of literature (and I think I would be overconservative in doing so). What would I say if I were talking about my wierd friend, Jack? 'Jack sang in the park again this morning-- he did it yesterday too-- and the day before!' Or something like that.
'Better'? I would probably use the past perfect here if I were writing a thesis, a careful formal letter, or a piece of literature (and I think I would be overconservative in doing so). What would I say if I were talking about my wierd friend, Jack? 'Jack sang in the park again this morning-- he did it yesterday too-- and the day before!' Or something like that.
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