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18-Sep-2004, 10:51
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| |  question tense
Hello,
Which of this sentence is correct and why?
When did you go last to the cinema?
When did you last go to the cinema?
When did you go to the cinema last?
I don't understand this :(
By the way. I have yet another question about "When" and "What time".
Is it correct, that I have to use "when" if I ask about a time frame, and "What time" if I ask about the point of time? :?
Kind regards,
Dany |
18-Sep-2004, 15:41
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| | Re: question tense
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Dany Hello,
Which of this sentence is correct and why?
When did you go last to the cinema?
When did you last go to the cinema?
When did you go to the cinema last?
I don't understand this :(
By the way. I have yet another question about "When" and "What time".
Is it correct, that I have to use "when" if I ask about a time frame, and "What time" if I ask about the point of time? :?
Kind regards,
Dany | 1. When did you go last to the cinema?
2. When did you last go to the cinema?
3. When did you go to the cinema last?
The third sentence is the most common and usual. The second sentence sounds fairly common and usual too. The first sentence is the least common, but it is still correct. The position of an adverb can be changed for emphasis. Sometimes adverb placement can be very flexible. Other times adverb placement is very restrictive. It depends on the adverb and sometimes the sentence. Adverb placement in spoken language appears to be more flexible than in written language. Speakers take more liberties with it than writers. Spoken words are not always as well packaged and neat as writtten words. And that's okay. :) 8)
As for the second part of your post, could you give a couple examples? It would be easier to reply in that way.
Thanks,  |
18-Sep-2004, 16:46
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| | Re: question tense
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Dany Hello,
Which of these sentences is correct and why?
1. When did you go last to the cinema? :(
2. When did you last go to the cinema? :D
3. When did you go to the cinema last? :D | 'last' modifies the entire verb phrase 'go to the cinema'. 'to the cinema' functions as the object of the verb 'go'. Together, 'go' and 'to the cinema' form the verb phrase proper.
Note that, Words that modify verbs are called adverbs. 'last' is an adverb. The term adverb means, add to the meaning of a verb, so since 'last' is supposed to add to the meaning of the verb, it should go next to the verb, the whole verb phrase, either at the beginning or the end, but never in the middle. :D
Beginning: last go to the cinema (OK) :D
End: go to the cinema last (OK) :D
Middle: go last to the cinema (Not OK) :( Quote: |
Originally Posted by Dany By the way. I have yet another question about "When" and "What time".
Is it correct, that I have to use "when" if I ask about a time frame, and "What time" if I ask about the point of time? :?
Kind regards,
Dany | Yes, but it's also possible to use "When" to ask about a point in time:
Pat: When are we leaving?
Sam: We are leaving at 5:00/on Monday/today.
All the best, :D |
18-Sep-2004, 16:47
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| | Re: question tense
Oops. Sorry. I didn't see you there.  |
19-Sep-2004, 09:06
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| | Re: question tense
Quote:
'last' modifies the entire verb phrase 'go to the cinema'. 'to the cinema' functions as the object of the verb 'go'. Together, 'go' and 'to the cinema' form the verb phrase proper.
Note that, Words that modify verbs are called adverbs. 'last' is an adverb. The term adverb means, add to the meaning of a verb, so since 'last' is supposed to add to the meaning of the verb, it should go next to the verb, the whole verb phrase, either at the beginning or the end, but never in the middle. :D
Beginning: last go to the cinema (OK) :D
End: go to the cinema last (OK) :D
Middle: go last to the cinema (Not OK) :(
| Thank you for your corrections and help. Now I understand this :D Quote:
Yes, but it's also possible to use "When" to ask about a point in time:
Pat: When are we leaving?
Sam: We are leaving at 5:00/on Monday/today.
All the best, :D
| Example:
Pat: When you get home last night? (=correct?)
Sam: About 11.00.
Pat: What time you get home last night? (=correct?)
Sam: About 11.00.
Kind regards,
Dany |
19-Sep-2004, 09:41
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| |
Quote:
Pat: When you get home last night? (=correct?)
Sam: About 11.00.
Pat: What time you get home last night? (=correct?)
Sam: About 11.00.
|
Both need an axiliary verb 'did' before the subject. :) |
19-Sep-2004, 09:51
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| |
Quote: |
Originally Posted by blacknomi Quote:
Pat: When you get home last night? (=correct?)
Sam: About 11.00.
Pat: What time you get home last night? (=correct?)
Sam: About 11.00.
|
Both need an axiliary verb 'did' before the subject. :) | Oooooooops
Thanks :D |
19-Sep-2004, 15:24
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| | Re: question tense
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Casiopea Oops. Sorry. I didn't see you there. |
No problem.
:D |
19-Sep-2004, 16:08
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| | Re: question tense
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Dany Thank you for your corrections and help. Now I understand this :D | You're welcome. :D Quote: |
Originally Posted by Dany Example:
Pat: When did you get home last night? (=correct?)
Sam: About 11:00.
Pat: What time did you get home last night? (=correct?)
Sam: About 11:00. | Both are correct. 
All the best, :D |
19-Sep-2004, 16:20
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| | Re: question tense
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Casiopea Quote: |
Originally Posted by Dany Thank you for your corrections and help. Now I understand this :D | You're welcome. :D Quote: |
Originally Posted by Dany Example:
Pat: When did you get home last night? (=correct?)
Sam: About 11:00.
Pat: What time did you get home last night? (=correct?)
Sam: About 11:00. | Both are correct.
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