[Grammar] would like + perfect infinitive vs. would like + infinitive

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tom3m

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I would like to live in the eighteenth century.

I would like to have lived in the eighteenth century.

What is the difference between these two sentences, please?
 

Chicken Sandwich

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The first sentence makes little sense because you can't go back in time. It only works IMO if you can actually go back in time, so I can imagine it being said in a movie or in a fiction book. The second sentence is fine in my opinion.

By the way, your first sentence is similar to, 'I'd like to play golf yesterday'. It just can't be done, unless you have a time machine.

Let's see if there are other opinions.
 
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tzfujimino

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"...little sense", CS!
 

tom3m

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The first sentence makes little sense because you can't go back in time. It only works IMO if you can actually go back in time, so I can imagine it being said in a movie or in a fiction book. The second sentence is fine in my opinion.

By the way, your first sentence is similar to, 'I'd like to play golf yesterday'. It just can't be done, unless you have a time machine.

Let's see if there are other opinions.


Thank you,
to summarize it: we use 'would like' + 'perfect infinitive' to talk now about things we wanted to do on the past.

BTW: Teachers have never explained this to us, so I considered the first sentence correct by the time I got your answer. :)
 

bhaisahab

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Thank you,
to summarize it: we use 'would like' + 'perfect infinitive' to talk now about things we wanted to do on the past.

BTW: Teachers have never explained this to us, so I considered the first sentence correct [STRIKE]by the time[/STRIKE] until I got your answer. :)

Bhai.
 
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