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Thread: Did I do what I said I would?
- 02-Sep-2011, 10:44 #1
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Did I do what I said I would? Did I do what I said I would?
I saw this sentence from someone email signature.
I am not sure whether the grammar is correct. (especially the blue color)
- 02-Sep-2011, 10:57 #2
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Re: Did I do what I said I would? Looks fine to me. What do you think is not right?
not a teacher
- 02-Sep-2011, 13:10 #3
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Threadstarter / Original Poster Re: Did I do what I said I would? Oh, sorry, I meant the tense not the grammar.
Originally Posted by tedtmc 
In my opinion, it should be "Did I do what I had said I would"
- 02-Sep-2011, 13:38 #4
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Re: Did I do what I said I would? It is understood the action (do) came after the words (said). I think the past perfect is optional. The past perfect need not be used if the past tense is adequate. Originally Posted by ysc1230
- 03-Sep-2011, 04:24 #5
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Threadstarter / Original Poster Re: Did I do what I said I would? Originally Posted by tedtmc
How about this:
E.g.
You had learnt English before you moved to New York.
You learnt English before you moved to New York.
Are they correct and having the same meaning?
If yes, then I don't need to use past perfect tense in most cases.
And please tell me what situation must be used as past perfect tense not past tense.
- 03-Sep-2011, 11:18 #6
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Re: Did I do what I said I would? Both can be used. Though it is clear which event came first with the past tense, the 'had' in No. 1 does give emphasis to 'learnt.' Originally Posted by ysc1230
How about this:
E.g.
You had learnt English before you moved to New York.
You learnt English before you moved to New York.
Are they correct and having the same meaning?
If yes, then I don't need to use past perfect tense in most cases.
And please tell me what situation must be used as past perfect tense not past tense.
I'd say use the past perfect when you wish to distinguish the timing of two events.
not a teacher
- 03-Sep-2011, 11:25 #7
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Re: Did I do what I said I would? Originally Posted by ysc1230
And please tell me what situation must be used as past perfect tense not past tense.
***** NOT A TEACHER *****
Here is some advice from L.G. Alexander in his very popular Longman English
Grammar:
There are instances in which we need to be very precise in our use of past or
past perfect, particularly with when:
When I arrived, Anne left. (at that moment)
When I arrived, Anne had left. (before I got there)
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