Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

river1974 · Joined: 20 May 2003 Posts: 525 Location: Taiwan

Dear teachers:

(a)I always wanted to be a scientist.
(b)I always want to be a scientist.

Are there any differences between (a) and (b)?

Thanks.

bud · Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 2111 Location: New Jersey, US

a. This is a statement by an adult (past tense). It does not give any clue whether or not he/she actually became a scientist.

b. This is a statement by a child - or an adult planning on a second career (present tense). It's unusual, though, as normally "always" would be omitted. It would be appropriate, however, as a response to: Do your wishes for a career ever change?" "No. I always want to be a scientist."