Are these sentences natural? Jan 23

[musicgold]

Hi,

Are the following sentences natural to a native ear?

1. I don’t care if you have to/had to spend the whole day to fix this.

2. Were you able to get that remote control to work?

3. So, what is involved in a detention? ( I wanted to know what goes on in a school detention)

Thanks,
MG.

[emsr2d2]

Hi,

Are the following sentences natural to a native ear?

1. I don’t care if you have to/had to spend the whole day fixing this.
or
I don't care if it takes/took you the whole day to fix this.

2. Were you able to get that remote control to work? Yes.

3. So, what is involved in a detention? ( I wanted to know what goes on in a school detention)
I would say "What happens in [a] detention?" My answer to "What is involved in a detention?" would probably be something like "Well, the student has done something naughty or exhibited bad behaviour and the teachers decides that the student has to stay behind after school for half an hour." I don't think that's the answer you're looking for. If you want to know what actually happens during the period of the actual detention, then ask that.

Thanks,
MG.

See above.

[musicgold]

Thanks emsr2d2.

Do you think 'a' before 'detention' in #3 is optional? Why?