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PreciousJones Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Were/have been

My friend says this to me after my cosmetic surgery:

You've always been beautiful! And

You were always beautiful!

What's the difference between these two sayings?

Thanks!
  

Top answer

There is usually no difference in meaning. Especially in American English the past tense is often used for idiomatic reasons with ever, never and always . Mark Twain once said: The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.

— Cool Breeze

  • There is usually no difference in meaning.
  • Especially in American English the past tense is often used for idiomatic reasons with ever, never and always .
  • Mark Twain once said: The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.
  • CB
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1 Answers
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There is usually no difference in meaning. Especially in American English the past tense is often used for idiomatic reasons with ever, never and always. Mark Twain once said: The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.

CB
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