authentic expressions (one more question)

[maoyueh]

Quote:
Originally Posted by emsr2d2
See above.

Thank you very much for your help. However, I have one more question. What is the difference in meaning between the following two sentences? Thank you again.

1. He took ten minutes getting to the train station.
2. He took ten minutes to get to the train station.

[bhaisahab]

Quote:
Originally Posted by emsr2d2
See above.

Thank you very much for your help. However, I have one more question. What is the difference in meaning between the following two sentences? Thank you again.

1. He took ten minutes getting to the train station.
2. He took ten minutes to get to the train station.

There is no difference in meaning.

[TheParser]

What is the difference in meaning between the following two sentences? Thank you again.

1. He took ten minutes getting to the train station.
2. He took ten minutes to get to the train station.

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


(1) I only wanted to offer some sentences for your consideration.

(2) The very reliable Longman English Grammar by the admired L.G. Alexander

gives these sentences:

It takes us half an hour to get to work.

It takes /took me ten minutes to walk to the station. (Mr. Alexander gives this

"formula": It takes + object + to-infinitive refers to time in relation to activity.)

(3) The equally admired Michael Swan in his equally reliable Practical English Usage

devotes about two pages to the verb "take." His examples include:

I took three hours to get home last night. (His "formula": person + take + time + infinitive.)

It took me three hours to get home last night. (His formula: It + take + a person + time + infinitive.)

(4) I am NOT commenting on whether you should use an infinitive or -ing word in

your sentence. I am only presenting some information for you to use as you choose.

We non-teachers are warned not to give wrong advice. Recently, a teacher accused me

of misleading learners, so I immediately deleted my posts in that thread.

[TheParser]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


(1) I have just learned to my astonishment that some English-grammar experts claim

that "I took an hour getting/to get there" is not "natural."

(a) They claim that the only "natural" sentence would be:

"It took me an hour getting/to get there."

(2) This seems strange, especially since an acknowledged expert such as Mr.

Swan sanctions something such as "I took an hour to get there." (He does NOT, however, mention the use of the -ing word.)

(3) Hopefully, someone will clarify this for us learners.