In Stative verbs^x, Grammar^x, Difference between^x

Did it snow this time last year? seems a little too specific. I would take it almost as Did it snow on this date last year? Hardly anyone would remember such a thing. I think, therefore, that unless I were consulting a meteorologist regarding real weather data, I would use Was it snowing this...

Hi, YSchneider . I am not a native speaker and this is indeed a tough grammar point for non-native speakers. Here is an extract from CGEL*: Did you lock the front door?

OK. I think I've finally understood the game you're playing. I'm the native informant (or whoever of us answers); you're the descriptive grammarian! (By the way, the standard saying among you descriptive grammarians is: Never trust a native informant!) Fun game, though. - I've...

Thanks, John. Your question is not easy to answer definitively, but some comments: 1-- The text is informal, a replica of spoken English, so the grammar is loose. 2-- You'll notice that the writer uses both forms you mention (' To be asking them to go home ' and ' to ask them after supper '),...