Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hela]

Dear teachers,

Would you please tell which sentences are wrong and why?

1 a) I feel better since I moved house.
b) I am feeling much better since I have moved house.
(Is there any difference in meaning between the two?)

2 Whether she plays on Saturday (is �or not� necessary here ?) depends on what her doctor says.

3. She no longer visits since she got married.
(is it possible to use the simple present here with �since�?)

4. She doesn't come and see us (anymore) now that she is / has got (possible too?) married.

5a) It is / has been twenty years since I have seen her.
b) It is / has been twenty years since I last saw her.
(are all four versions correct ? Any difference in meaning?)

6) I've been miserable ever since my family died in a car crash.
(correct ? or would you rather put �depressed�, �My life has been shattered�)

Many thanks,
Hela

[CP]

I'll give my answers if you tell us what "24/11" means.

1. I don't see much difference between "feel better" and "am feeling much better." But in the U.S., we don't say, "since I moved house." We would say, "since I moved" or "since I moved away."

2. I don't use "or not" with "whether," though some people do. "Whether" means "if or not," so adding "or not" is not only not necessary but misleading.

3. Yes, it's fine, though usually the "since" part comes first.

4. Either with or without "anymore" is fine. I prefer "is married" to "has got married / has gotten married," but people say the latter all the time.

5. Both are fine to me; same meaning. Maybe others will have a different opinion.

6) You could say either "miserable" or �depressed� or both, after such a tragedy. They don't mean the same thing. Miserable means extremely unhappy. Depressed means sad and unable to do much of anything. �My life has been shattered" would certainly be an apt description, too.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[hela]

Thank you very much CP.

"24/11" is just the date of my post. It's just a reference for me to differenciate the different posts I send with the same title.

- So in #5 there's no difference between "It IS or HAS BEEN 20 years since I LAST SAW or HAVE SEEN her", right?

- Is the present simple or progressive possible with �since�, adverb of time, with state verbs ? What would you say:

1) She looks quite different since her illness.
(possible? = time clause ?)

2) He is shooting the most expensive film since Star

3) My mother looks younger since she dyed her hair.
(�since� here introduces a time clause or a reason clause ?)

4) He looks much younger since he shaved off his beard.
(could this be a time clause ?)

Sincerely yours,
Hela

[asterix]

1) She looks quite different since her illness.
(possible? = time clause ?)

Time clause.

2) He is shooting the most expensive film since "Star".

Correct English

3) My mother looks younger since she dyed her hair.
(�since� here introduces a time clause or a reason clause ?)



4) He looks much younger since he shaved off his beard.
(could this be a time clause ?)

3. and 4. Could be either.
I suspect they are intended as time clauses, but they would also work as reason clauses if you use since in its alternate meaning of because.

[hela]

Goodmorning,

One more question, please. Do you see any difference in meaning between these 2 couples of sentences?

1a) Since her mother died, she has visited the cemetery every day.
b) Since her mother died, she visits the cemetery every day. (correct?)

2a) He looks much younger since he shaved off his beard.
b) He looks much younger now that he has shaved off his beard.

Kind regards,
Hela

[Anuradha Chepur]

1a) Since her mother died, she has visited the cemetery every day.
b) Since her mother died, she visits the cemetery every day. (correct?)

But for a little nuance, the two mean the same, in principle.
1a indicates that she has visited the cemetry everyday till today, but doesn't throw light on whether she is going to continue it.
1b is the habitual present, which implies she may continue doing it. 1b could pass off in spoken communication, but you would have to be cautious if it is written communication. If you are using a 'since' timeframe, it would be better to put it in the present perfect (your 1a) or the present progressive perfect(She has been visiting the cemetry everyday since her mother died).

2a) He looks much younger since he shaved off his beard.
b) He looks much younger now that he has shaved off his beard.

These two are correct and virtually mean the same thing.

[hela]

Thank you Anuradha

[Anuradha Chepur]

You're welcome Hela.