Are these sentences natural? June 28

[musicgold]

Hi,

Are the following sentences natural to a native ear?

1. I would prefer that you did the investigation before giving me a call.

2. I am having a hard timing in keeping my eyes open.

3. Last week I fell over while playing outdoors.

Thanks,
MG.

 

[emsr2d2]

Hi,

Are the following sentences natural to a native ear?

1. I would prefer that you did the investigation before giving me a call. OK, although I think "carried out" the investigation would sound better.

2. I am having a hard timing in keeping my eyes open. I am having a hard time keeping...

3. Last week I fell over while playing outdoors. Correct.

Thanks,
MG.

See above.

 

[billmcd]

Hi,

Are the following sentences natural to a native ear?

1. I would prefer that you did the investigation before giving me a call.
If the investigation is complete: "I would have preferred that you had done/completed the investigation before giving me a call (OR before calling me)."
If the investigation is not complete: "I would prefer that you do/complete the investigation before giving me a call (OR before calling me)".
2. I am having a hard time [STRIKE]in[/STRIKE] keeping my eyes open.

3. Last week I fell over ("over"is not necessary) while playing outdoors.

Thanks,
MG.

My response.

 

[emsr2d2]

Number 3 shows an interesting different between BrE and AmE. I would automatically use "fell over" to mean tripped or accidentally stumbled and fell to the floor.

If it said "fell" I would think it was a much more serious and higher fall, perhaps from a cliff!!

 

[SoothingDave]

I was thinking "fell down."

 

[billmcd]

Number 3 shows an interesting different between BrE and AmE. I would automatically use "fell over" to mean tripped or accidentally stumbled and fell to the floor.

If it said "fell" I would think it was a much more serious and higher fall, perhaps from a cliff!!

Yes, that is an interesting and, I think, significant difference of which I was not aware. In AmE we usually use "fall/fell over" to indicate that some obstacle caused or contributed to the fall, but it would include a fall over (or from) a cliff.

 

[musicgold]

Thanks folks.

I would prefer that you did the investigation before giving me a call.
If the investigation is complete: "I would have preferred that you had done/completed the investigation before giving me a call (OR before calling me)."
If the investigation is not complete: "I would prefer that you do/complete the investigation before giving me a call (OR before calling me)".

I am not sure but the original sentence uses the subjunctive mood. When would one make use of the original sentence?

 

[bhaisahab]

Thanks folks.



I am not sure but the original sentence uses the subjunctive mood. When would one make use of the original sentence?

Before the investigation is carried out.