Click here to play

taken lunch

   Share on Facebook  
Vincent Teo  #519102  Mon, 26 May 08 02:14 PM
Is there a correct way to write:

(a) Have you taken your lunch?  

(b) Have you had your lunch?

(c) Do you have your lunch?

(d) Do you eat your lunch?  

  
Top 25 Contributor
Joined on Sat, Mar 31 2007
Senior Member (3,896)
Jadarite  #519117  Mon, 26 May 08 02:38 PM
I don't fully understand the question.  You have them lettered as if there is supposed to be a correct answer, but no context or directions to base a decision on.  So, I will just comment on each.

a. Might be ok in British English, but I never use this in American English.

b. I use this one 90% of the time. This is because the afternoon is not finished YET, or because it is STILL afternoon.  (Study the capitalized words)

c. Never use this one

d. The grammar is fine, but it doesn't make sense.  If one doesn't eat their lunch, what do they do with it? Instead of "Do", change it to "Did" and this makes more sense.  You can use this in the afternoon and in the evening of the same day that you ate lunch.  For morning, you can use it if it refers to lunch eaten yesterday or another day in the past. 

  
Not Ranked
Joined on Mon, May 7 2007
South Korea, but originally from Detroit
New Member (38)
http://jadarite.wikispaces.com
Philip  #519118  Mon, 26 May 08 02:45 PM
c and d are in the simple present and can be used if you are talking about normal, everyday activity.

As Jaradite has said, (a) isn't used in AmEng, except in the case of "do you take your lunch [from home], or do you eat in the cafeteria?'
  
Top 25 Contributor
Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005
USA Pacific Northwest (Seattle)
Veteran Member (6,181)
ModeratorProficient Speaker
At reise er at leve! - H. C. Andersen
Jadarite  #519121  Mon, 26 May 08 02:54 PM
"do you take your lunch [from home]"

 In that case, I would use "bring" instead of "take".

  
AddThis Feed Button RSS Feed: ESL General English Grammar Questions
© 2008 MediaCET Ltd.
Terms and Conditions & Terms of Service