ahead

[navi tasan]

Which of these sentences could mean that John overtook me:
1-John got ahead of me. (I think this one does mean that, and only that)
2-John moved ahead of me.
3-John ran ahead of me.
4-John walked ahead of me.
5-John went ahead of me.

 

[RonBee]

Which of these sentences could mean that John overtook me:
1-John got ahead of me. (I think this one does mean that, and only that)
2-John moved ahead of me.
3-John ran ahead of me.
4-John walked ahead of me.
5-John went ahead of me.

If he overtook you that means that he came from behind you and caught up with you (and possibly passed you). None of the sentences says that. Also, the first sentence could be used figuratively.

8)

 

[Tdol]

4&5 definitely suggest to me that he started ahead as if he were leading in some way. ;-)

 

[RonBee]

4&5 definitely suggest to me that he started ahead as if he were leading in some way. ;-)

I agree. Perhaps: John passed me. That would impart the meaning of John having overtaken the other person.

8)

 

[Tdol]

I think moved ahead could also imply overtaking- for example in queues side by side, or in terms of promotion. ;-)

 

[RonBee]

I don't think "move ahead" implies overtaking somebody else, but it has more to do with making progress toward a specific goal. ("Move ahead of" has a different meaning.)

8)

 

[Tdol]

Sorry, I meant it with 'of', which is in the original example; I forgot to type it. ;-(

 

[RonBee]

I couldn't remember that far back. :wink:

 

[navi tasan]

Thanks, Ron Bee and TDOL.

 

[Tdol]

;-)