Forums » ESL, Rules of English Grammar, Help and Games » ESL General English Grammar Questions » twins

Twins
   Share on Facebook  
New2grammar  #542479  Wed, 16 Jul 08 06:04 PM
I know a friend who always wanted eight kids. When he knew his wife was pregnant with twins he was excited. After their birth, he decided to stop there. He had no idea what he was getting into.

Is the above correct?

Thanks.
  
Top 25 Contributor
Joined on Tue, Nov 21 2006
Veteran Member (7,676)
Who wants to go sailing around the world with me?
Marius Hancu  #542488  Wed, 16 Jul 08 06:24 PM
I know a friend who always wanted eight kids. When he knew his wife was pregnant with twins he was excited. After their birth, he decided to stop there, as he realized he had had no idea what he was getting into.
  
Top 10 Contributor
Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006
Montreal, Canada
Veteran Member (11,673)
Proficient Speaker
New2grammar  #542496  Wed, 16 Jul 08 06:38 PM

I agree with you that your version flows better. I think I heard a reporter say my original version. Maybe there was a long pause. What do you think?


After their birth, he decided to stop there...he had no idea what he was getting into.
  
Philip  #542499  Wed, 16 Jul 08 06:41 PM
New2grammar

I agree with you that your version flows better. I think I heard a reporter say my original version. Maybe there was a long pause. What do you think?


After their birth, he decided to stop there...he had no idea what he was getting into.
There are probably very few reporters out there with the sophisticated English skills that Marius has!
  
Top 25 Contributor
Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005
USA Pacific Northwest (Seattle)
Veteran Member (6,333)
ModeratorProficient Speaker
At reise er at leve! - H. C. Andersen
New2grammar  #542503  Wed, 16 Jul 08 06:48 PM
Philip, thank you for your reply but I don't quite get what you mean. Could you help me understand the difference and what makes MH's version more sophisticated?
  
Philip  #542505  Wed, 16 Jul 08 06:52 PM
I know a friend who always wanted eight kids. When he knew his wife was pregnant with twins he was excited. After their birth, he decided to stop there, as he realized he had had no idea what he was getting into.

This version by Marius combines two sentences into one, using a past perfect tense.
  
,
New2grammar  #542508  Wed, 16 Jul 08 06:56 PM
Thanks but I understand the grammatical aspect of his version.What I would like to know is the sophisticated aspect. Are you saying using the past perfect automatically makes a sentence sound sophisticated?
  
AddThis Feed Button RSS Feed: ESL General English Grammar Questions
© 2008 MediaCET Ltd.
Terms and Conditions & Terms of Service