How old were you being

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AlexAD

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Hello.

Is it correct to ask, 'How old were you being when you first visited a Chinese restaurant'
Or being is not necessary here?

Thanks, Alex.
 

billmcd

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Hello.

Is it correct to ask, 'How old were you being when you first visited a Chinese restaurant'
Or being is not necessary here?

Thanks, Alex.

Not necessary or correct.
 

AlexAD

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Using of being here was incorrect that it wasn't necessary.
Have I got this right?
 

riquecohen

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Using of being here was incorrect that it wasn't necessary.
Have I got this right?
The use of being is not correct.
 

AlexAD

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Ok. Would you omit it?
 

bhaisahab

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Ok. Would you omit it?
As it's incorrect and the sentence is fine without it, don't you think it would seem logical to omit it?
 

AlexAD

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I am sorry I haven't read thoroughly the reply before yours ...
 

emsr2d2

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Simple rule:

How old are you?
How old were you?
How old were you when ... ?
How old will you be when ... ?

That's it. We do not use another verb after "are you/were you/will you be" when talking about age. It's not a case of omitting it by choice.
 

Tdol

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You could devise a context where it would be possible to use it, but it would be highly artifical- an actor playing a character at a certain age might just about work. In an ordinary question, it's an error IMO.
 

AlexAD

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... an actor playing a character at a certain age might just about work. ...

I am sorry I didn't understand this part. There are no verb after might and I haven't encountered such grammar structure so far.
Could you please clarify?

Thanks, Alex.
 

virus99

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Hi Alex!

I am no teacher!

You can use your being in the passive progressive form:

The streets are being built.
The streets were being built.

Here you need being to form the passive.

When you ask for a fact in the past, use the simple past.

As always, correct me when I am wrong :)
 

Barb_D

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I am sorry I didn't understand this part. There are no verb after might and I haven't encountered such grammar structure so far.
Could you please clarify?

Thanks, Alex.

... might just about work. -- The verb is "work."

I don't have the right size drill bit, but this might work. -- It could serve the purpose it was needed for.

If I am even more doubtful, I might change it to "might just about" work. I don't really have the right color lipstick to go with that dress, but this color might just about work.
 
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