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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
wanted vs. want with tomorrow
A. I want to speak to you tomorrow about the property.
B. I wanted to speak to you tomorrow about the property.
1. Are both sentences above correct?
2. I understand that "wanted" is more polite than saying "want", but would it still be correct to use the past form "wanted" with a definite future time "tomorrow" in a sentence?
3. Is there a difference in meaning between A and B? I wonder why saying "wanted" makes someone sound polite.
I would very much appreciate your help.
B. I wanted to speak to you tomorrow about the property.
1. Are both sentences above correct?
2. I understand that "wanted" is more polite than saying "want", but would it still be correct to use the past form "wanted" with a definite future time "tomorrow" in a sentence?
3. Is there a difference in meaning between A and B? I wonder why saying "wanted" makes someone sound polite.
I would very much appreciate your help.
Top answer
To my ear, both are acceptable, but neither is more polite. For that affect, use I would like .
- To my ear, both are acceptable, but neither is more polite.
- For that affect, use I would like .
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5 Answers
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To my ear, both are acceptable, but neither is more polite. For that affect, use I would like.
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Thank you for your helpful response and for the more polite version.
Why is the past form "wanted" more polite than "want"? I wonder if there is a deeper reason or explanation for this.
Why is the past form "wanted" more polite than "want"? I wonder if there is a deeper reason or explanation for this.
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I guess that I wanted and especially I was wanting both sound less like a command.
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1. Are both sentences above correct? Yes.
2. I understand that "wanted" is more polite than saying "want", but would it still be correct to use the past form "wanted" with a definite future time "tomorrow" in a sentence? Yes. To me, "wanted" is less abrupt and direct, but not as polite as "would like."
2. I understand that "wanted" is more polite than saying "want", but would it still be correct to use the past form "wanted" with a definite future time "tomorrow" in a sentence? Yes. To me, "wanted" is less abrupt and direct, but not as polite as "would like."
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I wanted makes it sound a little less like I still have "the want"right now.
This use of the past tense is sometimes called ''distancing'.
Clive
This use of the past tense is sometimes called ''distancing'.
Clive
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