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.
 
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.
 
Using of being here was incorrect that it wasn't necessary.
Have I got this right?
 
Using of being here was incorrect that it wasn't necessary.
Have I got this right?
The use of being is not correct.
 
Ok. Would you omit it?
 
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?
 
I am sorry I haven't read thoroughly the reply before yours ...
 
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.
 
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.
 
... 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.
 
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 :)
 
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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