[riverkid]

Originally Posted by shun

Please note that my saying in the following is an irony:

What I meant is, it is nonsensical to explain tense depending on feelings. May I ask exactly what tense is to cure a headache?

In many places, I think I have made myself clear enough: Tense expresses Time only.

Then how do you explain these examples that I asked you about a few postings back?

You say/said that we use tense to express Time rather than certain social nuances. That's completely false, Shun. Let me give you some examples.

We can use past tense FORM to be more polite, more deferential.

"Did you want something to eat?"

By using 'did' instead of 'do', it's a softer question but the reference isn't past time. It's asking now about a near future.

"If she were here, I'd tell her that I loved her."

'were' doesn't refer to any past time. It's discussing a theoretical now.

If she were to come tomorrow, I'd tell her that I love her.

'were' doesn't refer to any past time. It's discussing a theoretical future.







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My reply: Everywhere I have seen such false promises more than enough. I have asked about the Past Family for decades and people cannot quote any words or examples about the Past Family. Their examples have turned out a joke -- there is no adjective 'past' in it, the adjective for the Past Family. And there is no explanation whatsoever.

I just gave you some examples that refute what you have just stated here. OR I've just given you some examples that have refuted what you have just stated here. Please address this.

If the books should speak of some time adverbials like "in the past xx years", you have already quoted them to surprise me.

I even have Michael Swan's book. May I ask in what page of it does he speak of examples of the Past Family? I don't think you have told the truth.

I'll try to check on this. It's surprising that you can't locate it yourself. I'm still puzzled as to what you mean by the "Past Family".


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My reply: Is Michael Swan's book a new grammar book? Shall I drop it also?

It depends on what edition you have, Shun.

Since on the web there are no examples nor explanations for the Past Family, should I clear the web also?

By and large, Shun, the internet sites that deal with grammar are full of only prescriptive nonsense. Many people have rushed to get their websites going but they've just copied the rubbish they were taught in school. This isn't surprising because most of the stuff taught in schools consists of the same old prescriptions that have been taught for generations.

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