Are these sentences correct?

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Teia

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Could you tell me if the following sentences are correct?

1.It`s a fortnight since he beat his foe.
Should I use `It has been a fortnight since ...` or is the first sentence correct?

2. Even though the police have fined the drivers who have exceeded speed limit of late, I had better much more drastic measures had been taken. - I had better sounds weird to me. Instead, I`d say: ....they should have taken much more drastic measures.

3. They must be rolling in it. Have you seen that beautiful house they live in?

I`m not sure about the verb "rolling in". Isn`t it rather ambiguous?

4. Mind you don`t say a word until you have heard my signal.
In my opinion this last sentence is wrong regarding the use of don`t...after mind. It sounds odd to me too.
How could I rephrase this last sentence?

Mind that: don`t say a word... or

Mind not to say a word ... - I am confused:-?

Thank you very much in advance.
 

emsr2d2

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Could you tell me if the following sentences are correct?

1.It`s a fortnight since he beat his foe.
Should I use `It has been a fortnight since ...` or is the first sentence correct?
I certainly prefer "It's been a fortnight since..."

2. Even though the police have fined the drivers who have exceeded speed limit of late, I had better much more drastic measures had been taken. - I had better sounds weird to me. Instead, I`d say: ....they should have taken much more drastic measures.
That part of the sentence is completely wrong! I would say it should read "I would prefer it if much more drastic measures had been taken" or "I would rather that much more drastic measures be taken".

3. They must be rolling in it. Have you seen that beautiful house they live in?

I`m not sure about the verb "rolling in". Isn`t it rather ambiguous?

In BrE, not at all ambiguous within the right context. "Rolling in it" means having a lot of money.

4. Mind you don`t say a word until you have heard my signal.
In my opinion this last sentence is wrong regarding the use of don`t...after mind. It sounds odd to me too.
How could I rephrase this last sentence?

Mind that: don`t say a word... (No) or

Mind not to say a word (No) ... - I am confused

There's nothing wrong with the original. "Mind" = "make sure that" or "be careful that".

Mind you don't fall down the stairs.
Mind you don't swear when you're talking to the Queen.
:-?


Thank you very much in advance.

See above.
 

Teia

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Hi emsr

Thank you so much for your quick answer!
 

crazYgeeK

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Why do we use "...until you have heard..." not "...until you hear.." in the last sentence ?
Maybe "you may not hear any signal unfortunately" ?
Thank you so much !
 

emsr2d2

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Why do we use "...until you have heard..." not "...until you hear.." in the last sentence ?
Maybe "you may not hear any signal unfortunately" ?
Thank you so much !

Well spotted.

Mind you don't say a word until you hear my signal.
Mind you don't say a word until you have heard my signal.

Both are correct.

I'm not sure where you wanted to put "you may not hear any signal, unfortunately" in the original sentence.
 

2006

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Could you tell me if the following sentences are correct?

1.It`s a fortnight since he beat his foe.
Should I use `It has been a fortnight since ...` or is the first sentence correct?
1. Why do you think "has been" might be preferable.
2. British English speakers are very fond of perfect tense. But there is nothing wrong with simple present tense in that sentence.
2006
 

emsr2d2

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2006
1.It`s a fortnight since he beat his foe.
Should I use `It has been a fortnight since ...` or is the first sentence correct?
1. Why do you think "has been" might be preferable.
2. British English speakers are very fond of perfect tense. But there is nothing wrong with simple present tense in that sentence.

I should have been clearer. I meant simply my own preference, meaning that I would personally use "It's been a fortnight since..." much more often than "It's a fortnight since..." I have no good reason for doing so! There is absolutely nothing wrong with either choice.
 
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