ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: when was the last time....

Kooyeen — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:59:37 GMT

Newguest
Kooyeen

1) I don't remember when was the last time I went to the movies.
2) I don't remember when the last time was I went to the movies.

So, I can see it's OK to say either: ..when was the last time..OR ..when the last time was..

No! I am not sure! LOL
I just think you might hear the first in speech, and I don't think the second is very common in informal speech, but would much better in writing. But as I said, it's just my opinion and I can't be sure at all. The only thing I know is that the other versions you've been given in this thread are much much better and common, so try those first.

Re: when was the last time....

Newguest — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:43:01 GMT

Kooyeen

1) I don't remember when was the last time I went to the movies.
2) I don't remember when the last time was I went to the movies.

So, I can see it's OK to say either: ..when was the last time..OR ..when the last time was..

thanks

Re: when was the last time....

CalifJim — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:27:41 GMT

I'd just say,

I don't remember the last time I went to the movies.

The when was just confuses the issue.

But if the question is really about word order in an indirect question, then here's a shorter example.

Wrong: I don't remember when was it.

Right: I don't remember when it was.

Re: when was the last time....

RayH — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 01:34:26 GMT

Avangi
RayH
The sentence says: I don't remember ~~when~~ ~~was~~ the last time I was at ~~have been in~~ the cinema. "In" is possible but unusual here.

Is it also possible to say: ~~I don't remember when the last time was I have been in the cinema.~~
Hi Ray, The problem I see with eliminating the "when" is that it can be taken to mean you've totally or partially forgotten the experience. But it does sound better.

Rgdz, - A.

Edit. Philip's version seems to handle this problem.

Possibly, but I don't think anyone would take it that way in ordinary usage. To the extent you want to make certain there is no confusion Philip's version is preferred.

Re: when was the last time....

Avangi — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 01:26:56 GMT

RayH
The sentence says: I don't remember ~~when~~ ~~was~~ the last time I was at ~~have been in~~ the cinema. "In" is possible but unusual here.

Is it also possible to say: ~~I don't remember when the last time was I have been in the cinema.~~

Hi Ray, The problem I see with eliminating the "when" is that it can be taken to mean you've totally or partially forgotten the experience. But it does sound better. (in a theater)

Rgdz, - A.

Edit. Philip's version seems to handle this problem.

Re: when was the last time....

Philip — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 01:23:51 GMT

I don't remember the last time I saw a movie in a theater.

Re: when was the last time....

Kooyeen — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 23:36:04 GMT

Heh, those darn sentences are always a problem for learners... I'd say the most common and natural ones would be:

I don't remember when I last went to the movies.
I don't remember when it was that I last went to the movies.

The other ones are... problematic, in my opinion. I'd say #1 is better in common spoken English.
1) I don't remember when was the last time I went to the movies.
2) I don't remember when the last time was I went to the movies.

But this is just my opinion. I have trouble with such structures too.

EDIT: There! RayH had the solution. Get rid of "when" and say "I don't remember the last time I did something!"

Re: when was the last time....

RayH — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 23:31:39 GMT

The sentence says: I don't remember ~~when~~ ~~was~~ the last time I was at ~~have been in~~ the cinema. "In" is possible but unusual here.

Is it also possible to say: ~~I don't remember when the last time was I have been in the cinema.~~

when was the last time....

Newguest — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 22:11:48 GMT

The sentence says: I don't remember when was the last time I have been in the cinema.

Is it also possible to say: I don't remember when the last time was I have been in the cinema.

Thanks