[Grammar] in you come

Status
Not open for further replies.

khanhhung2512

Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2011
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Vietnamese
Home Country
Vietnam
Current Location
Vietnam
Hi.
I found the following conversation at the book "101 American English Idioms":
- That's it, Greg! You'd better not come in after midnight again tonight.
- I know, dad. You don't have to jump down my throat! I told you that I'd make it home around 11:30. I don't intend to be late!
- Well, you've said that before and in you come at 2:30 in the morning. You can't blame me for getting angry and scolding you. I've got good reason.
Could anyone tell me what "in you come" means?
Thank you very much!
By the way, are there any mistakes in my post?
 

Chicken Sandwich

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Russian
Home Country
Russian Federation
Current Location
Netherlands
NOT A TEACHER

It's related to "come in". The word order is inverted, but the meaning is the same. The father is saying to Greg that he came home at 2:30 AM.
 

khanhhung2512

Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2011
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Vietnamese
Home Country
Vietnam
Current Location
Vietnam
NOT A TEACHER

It's related to "come in". The word order is inverted, but the meaning is the same. The father is saying to Greg that he came home at 2:30 AM.
What about "in you came", because it's a past action? Is it suitable?
 
Last edited:

Barb_D

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Member Type
Other
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
The inversion is possible in any tense. Please don't use "words" like "cuz" in this forum.
 

khanhhung2512

Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2011
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Vietnamese
Home Country
Vietnam
Current Location
Vietnam
The inversion is possible in any tense.
Which means "in you come" and "in you came" are both appropriate in the conversation above?
 

charliedeut

VIP Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2009
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Spanish
Home Country
Spain
Current Location
Spain
Which means "in you come" and "in you came" are both appropriate in the conversation above?

Hi,

I would say no. The father is expressing a habit that Greg has, and which he presumes Greg will stick to tonight. So I'd go for the present, in this case.

charliedeut
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top