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Old 17-Dec-2005, 20:46
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Default "... did nothing but lie" paradox
How can the usage of Present Simple after Past be explained in the following: "But lazy Jack was so lazy that he did nothing but lie in the sun ... and sit by the fire-place ..."
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Old 18-Dec-2005, 01:36
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Default Re: "... did nothing but lie" paradox
"nothing" functions as a noun and the phrases "lie in the sun" and "sit by the fire-place" define that noun.

EX: Jack did nothing except for the following things: lie and sit.
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Old 18-Dec-2005, 04:02
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Got it! Thanks, Casiopea
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