On 16/08/2011 19:37, Martin P. Hellwig wrote:
On 16/08/2011 18:51, Prasad, Ramit wrote:
Incorrect past tense usage of "used to":
""" I "used to" wear wooden shoes """
Incorrect description using "used to":
""" I have become "used to" wearing wooden shoes """
Correct usage of "used to":
""" Wooden shoes can be "used to" torture someone """
Double you tee eff? Maybe this is a cultural language difference, but
I believe all of the above are correct. Well, I am not sure about the
middle one but the other two are valid.
Well admittedly English isn't my native language, But indeed all
sentences seem correct to me.
English _is_ my native language, and I agree with you.
With the first sentence meaning: in the past I wore wooden shoes, but
presently I do not.
Correct.
With the second sentence meaning: in the past I was not used to (i.e.
uncomfortable, hey bonus points!) wearing wooden shoes, but presently I
am used to it (although not necessarily comfortable, but at least not
uncomfortable).
Correct.
I actually can't figure out a way of saying those two sentences more
concise or correct then it has been given.
But then again I do recognize that these are quite 'Germanic'* ways of
constructing sentences, as in freely mixing past, present and future to
indicate that a certain description is restricted to a specific time frame.
* For the lack of a better description, I am not a linguist, but I was
born in Germany and I am often guilty of mixing times.
Also RR, congratualation to another troll post that turned out quite
interesting :-)
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