[Grammar] Rules!

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bhagona

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Hi teachers,

I waited for a long time, but you did'nt come.

I waited for a long time, but you never came.

I think, both are correct. Could u explain?
Thanks a lot.
 

Abstract Idea

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----- Not an ESL teacher -----

Hi teachers,

I waited for a long time, but you did'nt come.

I waited for a long time, but you never came.

I think, both are correct. Could u explain?
Thanks a lot.

AI wrote something about this topic:

----- Not an ESL teacher -----



Both are correct. In some contexts they may be interchangeable.

Some context is needed but maybe you could spot the following difference:
The first one could refer to a shorter period of time. For example, you waited for your date for about one or two hours, or perhaps all night long, and she didn't show up.
On the other hand the second one could refer to a longer period of time. Let us say you waited for the girl of your dreams for several months or years and she never appeared.

PS The only thing in your post that disturbs me is the "Cud u" part. That would really read better as "Could you".
 

bhagona

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Hi Abstract,
you wrote " The only thing in your post that disturbes me"
Would it have been a mistake had you used "which" instead of "that "?
 

bhagona

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Hi Abstract,
you wrote " The only thing in your post that disturbes me"
Would it have been a mistake had you used "which" instead of "that "?
Is it because of the "THE" in the begning?
 

Abstract Idea

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Hi Abstract,
you wrote " The only thing in your post that disturbes me"
Would it have been a mistake had you used "which" instead of "that "?

I don't think so. In this situation both could be used.
 

Abstract Idea

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Is it because of the "THE" in the begning?

Not really. In this situation both forms "that" and "which" could be used.
The "THE" is mandatory in that sentence. If I didn't want to use the, I could have rephrased it to "Only one thing disturbs me in your post: the cud u part."

I think it is possible to find someone saying that only "which" should work in that sentence, mainly in BrE. But in my opinion both forms are correct here. Unfortunately I just cannot explain you the reasons.
 

bhagona

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Might be, but I was told there is a subtle difference between them, when they are used as "Relative pronoun/preposition". Just a vague idea, cant remember, what it precisely was.
 

Abstract Idea

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Might be, but I was told there is a subtle difference between them, when they are used as "Relative pronoun/preposition". Just a vague idea, cant remember, what it precisely was.

OK bhagona. In colloquial English for sure there is no difference here. I think in AmE there is no difference even in formal English. Maybe there is a difference in BrE.
But I am neither an English teacher nor an English native speaker.

I suggest two things:
i) Let us wait to read someone else's opinion.
ii) Start a new thread with this specific topic (and post the link here).
 

Raymott

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Hi teachers,

I waited for a long time, but you didn't come.

I waited for a long time, but you never came.

I think, both are correct. Could u explain?
Thanks a lot.
The second is considered substandard in Australian English. The meaning here is, "You didn't come during the time I was waiting for you."
It sounds worse when you use the absolute adverb 'never' with a specific time, as in "Hey, you never turned up last Saturday!"
But you will hear this said commonly.
 
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