many times before...

[aysaa]

Hello,

Please could you tell that when to use 'many times before and many times'.

1-) I have been to Paris many times before. (It is ok)

2-) I have been to Paris many times. (It is ok)

3-) I went to Paris many times before.

4-) I went to Paris many times.

Can we use the sections 3 and 4 for past situations?

[Barb_D]

3 doesn't work.
4 sounds like your opportunity to go to Paris is now over.

[aysaa]

-I went to Paris too many times before ,but I am in London now.

Can't we use 'many times before' with simple past tense?

[aysaa]

Please can you answer that? Can we use?

[5jj]

-I went to Paris too many times before ,but I am in London now.

Can't we use 'many times before' with simple past tense?

Not in this example.

[aysaa]

Is it something in general, or everytime? Can't we use 'many times before' with the simple past tense? I m not talking about the example I gave.

[Barb_D]

I can't make past simple work. You need present perfect.

[aysaa]

Thanks for answering. I think I am confused because of the songs like 'this love' by 'Maroon 5'.

This love has taken it's toll on me
She said goodbye too many times before
And her heart is breaking in front of me
I have no choice 'cause I won't say goodbye anymore

I think that is for spoken English, is that right?

[Barb_D]

I have never written a document called "The 10 Most Important Rules for Learning English" but if I ever do, then one of them would be "Do not EVER use song lyrics as the basis for assuming anything is good English."

She's said goodbye -- much closer to standard English.

Lyricists choose words because of the rhyme or the rhythm, or other factors that are a mystery to me. It's why I write standard business English and not songs.

[5jj]

I have never written a document called "The 10 Most Important Rules for Learning English" but if I ever do, then one of them would be "Do not EVER use song lyrics as the basis for assuming anything is good English."

I couldn't agree more.