correct sentences 24/11

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Yankee

#297908 Mon, 27 Nov 06 12:40 AM

Hi Barb

I agree with you. I have heard 'move house' from Brits, though. I've also heard 'removal van' rather than the more American 'moving van'. (I remember being quite entertained by that one when I first heard it.) Smile [:)]

Yankee

Joined on Sat, Apr 15 2006

Connecticut, USA

Senior Member (4,157)

Amy "You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." - Mark Twain

Grammar Geek

#297944 Mon, 27 Nov 06 03:22 AM

Ah, well, Yankee - what do you expect from a country that drinks beer at room temperature? Big Smile [:D]

Grammar Geek

Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006

Pennsylvania, USA

Veteran Member (15,595)

Barbara, who answers in American English.

Hela

#297978 Mon, 27 Nov 06 05:58 AM

Thank you everyone for your contribution.

I notice that even among native speakers there might be some disagreement but is this a matter of dialect: some usages are accepted in American English and not in British English; or is it a matter of idiolect: personal choice even among the same community?

Thank you Grammar Geek for the link, it answers exactly the question I have been asking myself for days. Smile [:)]

See you soon,

Hela

Joined on Mon, Nov 15 2004

Tunisia

Regular Member (831)

American English, British English, Dialects, Grammar, Idiolect

Clive

#297980 Mon, 27 Nov 06 06:01 AM

what do you expect from a country that drinks beer at room temperature?

Oh yeah?

An American tourist (from Pennsylvania) goes into a bar in London and says 'Bring me the nearest thing you have to American beer'.

So the barman brings her a glass of water. Big Smile [:D]

Clive

Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004

Canada

Veteran Member (21,212)

El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

Yankee

#298011 Mon, 27 Nov 06 07:26 AM

Hela wrote:
Thank you Grammar Geek for the link, it answers exactly the question I have been asking myself for days.

Hi Hela
That the link deals directly with the use of past tense vs. present perfect in a time (since) clause. I've been commenting on your usage of tense outside the 'since' clause.

Here are some further examples (from Google and the BNC):

- Since the merger, they no longer issue separate P+L statements.

- Why am I no longer allergic to cats since I had laser eye surgery?

- Seems a long long time since we used to do it.

- CELTIC savoured victory over Hibs at Parkhead last night for the first time since Liam Brady took over as manager, thanks to a couple of well-taken goals from Andy Payton.

- This session will be his fifth with Boltwood since February.

Yankee

Clauses, Grammar, Past tenses, Present perfect, Tenses

Goodman

#298013 Mon, 27 Nov 06 07:41 AM

Grammar Geek wrote:

Just a side note that has nothing to do with tenses: in American English "to move houses" isn't idiomatic.

... since I moved.

... since I moved into my new house.

... since I moved out of that house.

... since I moved my mobile home to a new lot.

All of the above sentences sound more idiomatic to my semi-American ears. "Move house" sounds totally strange on t his side of the pond.... Smile [:)]