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.
With the first sentence meaning: in the past I wore wooden shoes, but
presently I do not.
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).
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 :-)
--
mph
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