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"There is never been a better time to do XXX"
I know it means it is the best time to do XXX.
But I would like to know why "never a better time" = "the best time".
[Maybe it is difficult to explain though :( ]
27 Sep: Question answered! Thanks for all your help.
Hello Wai_Wai,Quote:
Originally Posted by Wai_Wai
I would try to explain it.
If you say "never a better time" then it means that there were no better time befor that time and there won't be a better time after that time.
So you are right. "The best time to do something" :D
I hope that this could help you.
Kind regards,
Dany :D
Thanks for your explanation.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dany
The reason why I get confused with this statement is as follows:
To me, "There is never been a better time XXX" is similar to "There is never a good time to do XXX"
Just like:
- I never run
- I never swim
etc.
It means the person will never do the thing from the past to now (and maybe in the future).
So "never been a good time" should mean You can't find a suitable time for you to do XXX.
But if the adj "good" becomes 2nd-level-comparative (ie better). The meaning changes.
After your explanation, you really inspires me.
Now I will take the statement like the following:
- You will never find a better time to do XXX. (so you should act now!)
Thanks a lot.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wai_Wai
You're welcome :hi:
The adverb never negates the state of the verb been.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wai_Wai
never been ~ not be, means, doesn't exist.
has never been means, hasn't existed before, that is until now, which makes it the only time and so the best time.
:D Correction :D
There has never been a better time. (Present Perfect)
Note, There is been are not compatible. :wink:
All the best, :D
Dear Casiopea,
Hi, the statement is extracted from a source.
Thanks for the correction. ^-^
Which one did the Source actually list? :?Quote:
Originally Posted by Wai_Wai
1. There is never a better time than now. (OK)
2. There's never been a better time than now. (OK)
3. There is never been a better time than now. (Not OK)
Note that, There's stands for There has. The apostrophe (') replaced the consonant-vowel "ha". :wink:
All the best, :D
Did you mean that the 's stands for has ?
FRC
The second one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Casiopea
Now I know I misinterpreted the 's as is. In fact, it is "has".
Thanks a lot.
:up:Quote:
Originally Posted by Wai_Wai