Difference Had been Twins and Were Twins
What is the meaning of below sentence ?
a) I asked if he and my father had been twins.
Does it mean
b) I asked if he and my father were twins.
If Yes , then when to use a) and when b) ?
sentence-construction sentence-meaning reported-speech
edited Dec 28 '18 at 19:31
Omega Krypton
21226
asked Dec 28 '18 at 16:04
user4084
484165499
add a comment |
What is the meaning of below sentence ?
a) I asked if he and my father had been twins.
Does it mean
b) I asked if he and my father were twins.
If Yes , then when to use a) and when b) ?
sentence-construction sentence-meaning reported-speech
edited Dec 28 '18 at 19:31
Omega Krypton
21226
asked Dec 28 '18 at 16:04
user4084
484165499
1
The past perfect is hardly ever compulsory. Most times it is a stylistic choice, that sets the temporal viewpoint at a time in the past later than the events being referred to. If that viewpoint is already set, or is irrelevant, the simple past will do just as well.
– Colin Fine
Dec 28 '18 at 16:50
add a comment |
What is the meaning of below sentence ?
a) I asked if he and my father had been twins.
Does it mean
b) I asked if he and my father were twins.
If Yes , then when to use a) and when b) ?
sentence-construction sentence-meaning reported-speech
edited Dec 28 '18 at 19:31
Omega Krypton
21226
asked Dec 28 '18 at 16:04
user4084
484165499
What is the meaning of below sentence ?
a) I asked if he and my father had been twins.
Does it mean
b) I asked if he and my father were twins.
If Yes , then when to use a) and when b) ?
sentence-construction sentence-meaning reported-speech
sentence-construction sentence-meaning reported-speech
edited Dec 28 '18 at 19:31
Omega Krypton
21226
asked Dec 28 '18 at 16:04
user4084
484165499
edited Dec 28 '18 at 19:31
Omega Krypton
21226
asked Dec 28 '18 at 16:04
user4084
484165499
edited Dec 28 '18 at 19:31
Omega Krypton
21226
edited Dec 28 '18 at 19:31
Omega Krypton
21226
edited Dec 28 '18 at 19:31
Omega Krypton
21226
21226
asked Dec 28 '18 at 16:04
user4084
484165499
asked Dec 28 '18 at 16:04
user4084
484165499
asked Dec 28 '18 at 16:04
user4084
484165499
484165499
1
The past perfect is hardly ever compulsory. Most times it is a stylistic choice, that sets the temporal viewpoint at a time in the past later than the events being referred to. If that viewpoint is already set, or is irrelevant, the simple past will do just as well.
– Colin Fine
Dec 28 '18 at 16:50
add a comment |
1
The past perfect is hardly ever compulsory. Most times it is a stylistic choice, that sets the temporal viewpoint at a time in the past later than the events being referred to. If that viewpoint is already set, or is irrelevant, the simple past will do just as well.
– Colin Fine
Dec 28 '18 at 16:50
1
1
The past perfect is hardly ever compulsory. Most times it is a stylistic choice, that sets the temporal viewpoint at a time in the past later than the events being referred to. If that viewpoint is already set, or is irrelevant, the simple past will do just as well.
– Colin Fine
Dec 28 '18 at 16:50
The past perfect is hardly ever compulsory. Most times it is a stylistic choice, that sets the temporal viewpoint at a time in the past later than the events being referred to. If that viewpoint is already set, or is irrelevant, the simple past will do just as well.
– Colin Fine
Dec 28 '18 at 16:50
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
a) I asked if he and my father had been twins.
= I asked, "Were he and my father twins?"
b) I asked if he and my father were twins.
= I asked, "Are he and my father twins?"
Therefore,
If he and/or your father has passed away/ died, use (a).
Else, use (b).
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:08
Omega Krypton
21226
2
Note for ELLers: "passed away" means "died".
– Michael Harvey
Dec 28 '18 at 16:18
thanks, edited! @MichaelHarvey, was afraid of it being in any sense offensive, nvm, thanks!
– Omega Krypton
Dec 28 '18 at 16:19
2
Death comes to us all.
– Michael Harvey
Dec 28 '18 at 16:23
True, but we'd better stop here since this is kinda off-topic. thanks anyway!
– Omega Krypton
Dec 28 '18 at 16:24
It is a matter of usage, and therefore on-topic, in a wider sense, surely?
– Michael Harvey
Dec 28 '18 at 16:25
add a comment |
If he and your father "had been" twins, then they are no longer, and the only way that can be is if either is, or both are, dead. The past progressive tense is used about an action or situation that was completed at some point in the past. It seems an unlikely situation - you have to ask if your father has (or had) a twin?
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:24
Michael Harvey
12.5k11330
Being twins does not require either twin to be alive, “had been” is thus inappropriate under all circumstances.
– jmoreno
Dec 29 '18 at 3:07
add a comment |
I think that the topic is ambiguous. Suppose that "he" were twins with George, and "my father" were twins with Tom. You could answer "they both were twins." But the sentence doesn't have additional context asking if "he" and "my father" were the context of "twins".
Suppose that "he" and "my father" were part of triplets, and that brother is now dead. The person being asked should answer "no" to the twins discussion, right?
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:52
Jerome P Mrozak
101
New contributor
Jerome P Mrozak is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
You can still use the "were" construction even if one (or indeed both) are dead. Family relationships aren't somehow cancelled.
It sounds clumsy and odd to say "King George VI had been George V's son", you'd just say that he was.
"Had been" implies something else afterwards, like "My uncle had been a Regimental Sergeant-Major for ten years before he was a florist".
answered Dec 28 '18 at 23:34
Bloke Down The Pub
1
add a comment |
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
a) I asked if he and my father had been twins.
= I asked, "Were he and my father twins?"
b) I asked if he and my father were twins.
= I asked, "Are he and my father twins?"
Therefore,
If he and/or your father has passed away/ died, use (a).
Else, use (b).
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:08
Omega Krypton
21226
2
Note for ELLers: "passed away" means "died".
– Michael Harvey
Dec 28 '18 at 16:18
thanks, edited! @MichaelHarvey, was afraid of it being in any sense offensive, nvm, thanks!
– Omega Krypton
Dec 28 '18 at 16:19
2
Death comes to us all.
– Michael Harvey
Dec 28 '18 at 16:23
True, but we'd better stop here since this is kinda off-topic. thanks anyway!
– Omega Krypton
Dec 28 '18 at 16:24
It is a matter of usage, and therefore on-topic, in a wider sense, surely?
– Michael Harvey
Dec 28 '18 at 16:25
add a comment |
a) I asked if he and my father had been twins.
= I asked, "Were he and my father twins?"
b) I asked if he and my father were twins.
= I asked, "Are he and my father twins?"
Therefore,
If he and/or your father has passed away/ died, use (a).
Else, use (b).
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:08
Omega Krypton
21226
2
Note for ELLers: "passed away" means "died".
– Michael Harvey
Dec 28 '18 at 16:18
thanks, edited! @MichaelHarvey, was afraid of it being in any sense offensive, nvm, thanks!
– Omega Krypton
Dec 28 '18 at 16:19
2
Death comes to us all.
– Michael Harvey
Dec 28 '18 at 16:23
True, but we'd better stop here since this is kinda off-topic. thanks anyway!
– Omega Krypton
Dec 28 '18 at 16:24
It is a matter of usage, and therefore on-topic, in a wider sense, surely?
– Michael Harvey
Dec 28 '18 at 16:25
add a comment |
a) I asked if he and my father had been twins.
= I asked, "Were he and my father twins?"
b) I asked if he and my father were twins.
= I asked, "Are he and my father twins?"
Therefore,
If he and/or your father has passed away/ died, use (a).
Else, use (b).
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:08
Omega Krypton
21226
a) I asked if he and my father had been twins.
= I asked, "Were he and my father twins?"
b) I asked if he and my father were twins.
= I asked, "Are he and my father twins?"
Therefore,
If he and/or your father has passed away/ died, use (a).
Else, use (b).
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:08
Omega Krypton
21226
edited Dec 28 '18 at 16:18
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:08
Omega Krypton
21226
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:08
Omega Krypton
21226
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:08
Omega Krypton
21226
21226
2
Note for ELLers: "passed away" means "died".
– Michael Harvey
Dec 28 '18 at 16:18
thanks, edited! @MichaelHarvey, was afraid of it being in any sense offensive, nvm, thanks!
– Omega Krypton
Dec 28 '18 at 16:19
2
Death comes to us all.
– Michael Harvey
Dec 28 '18 at 16:23
True, but we'd better stop here since this is kinda off-topic. thanks anyway!
– Omega Krypton
Dec 28 '18 at 16:24
It is a matter of usage, and therefore on-topic, in a wider sense, surely?
– Michael Harvey
Dec 28 '18 at 16:25
add a comment |
2
Note for ELLers: "passed away" means "died".
– Michael Harvey
Dec 28 '18 at 16:18
thanks, edited! @MichaelHarvey, was afraid of it being in any sense offensive, nvm, thanks!
– Omega Krypton
Dec 28 '18 at 16:19
2
Death comes to us all.
– Michael Harvey
Dec 28 '18 at 16:23
True, but we'd better stop here since this is kinda off-topic. thanks anyway!
– Omega Krypton
Dec 28 '18 at 16:24
It is a matter of usage, and therefore on-topic, in a wider sense, surely?
– Michael Harvey
Dec 28 '18 at 16:25
2
2
Note for ELLers: "passed away" means "died".
– Michael Harvey
Dec 28 '18 at 16:18
Note for ELLers: "passed away" means "died".
– Michael Harvey
Dec 28 '18 at 16:18
thanks, edited! @MichaelHarvey, was afraid of it being in any sense offensive, nvm, thanks!
– Omega Krypton
Dec 28 '18 at 16:19
thanks, edited! @MichaelHarvey, was afraid of it being in any sense offensive, nvm, thanks!
– Omega Krypton
Dec 28 '18 at 16:19
2
2
Death comes to us all.
– Michael Harvey
Dec 28 '18 at 16:23
Death comes to us all.
– Michael Harvey
Dec 28 '18 at 16:23
True, but we'd better stop here since this is kinda off-topic. thanks anyway!
– Omega Krypton
Dec 28 '18 at 16:24
True, but we'd better stop here since this is kinda off-topic. thanks anyway!
– Omega Krypton
Dec 28 '18 at 16:24
It is a matter of usage, and therefore on-topic, in a wider sense, surely?
– Michael Harvey
Dec 28 '18 at 16:25
It is a matter of usage, and therefore on-topic, in a wider sense, surely?
– Michael Harvey
Dec 28 '18 at 16:25
add a comment |
If he and your father "had been" twins, then they are no longer, and the only way that can be is if either is, or both are, dead. The past progressive tense is used about an action or situation that was completed at some point in the past. It seems an unlikely situation - you have to ask if your father has (or had) a twin?
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:24
Michael Harvey
12.5k11330
Being twins does not require either twin to be alive, “had been” is thus inappropriate under all circumstances.
– jmoreno
Dec 29 '18 at 3:07
add a comment |
If he and your father "had been" twins, then they are no longer, and the only way that can be is if either is, or both are, dead. The past progressive tense is used about an action or situation that was completed at some point in the past. It seems an unlikely situation - you have to ask if your father has (or had) a twin?
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:24
Michael Harvey
12.5k11330
Being twins does not require either twin to be alive, “had been” is thus inappropriate under all circumstances.
– jmoreno
Dec 29 '18 at 3:07
add a comment |
If he and your father "had been" twins, then they are no longer, and the only way that can be is if either is, or both are, dead. The past progressive tense is used about an action or situation that was completed at some point in the past. It seems an unlikely situation - you have to ask if your father has (or had) a twin?
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:24
Michael Harvey
12.5k11330
If he and your father "had been" twins, then they are no longer, and the only way that can be is if either is, or both are, dead. The past progressive tense is used about an action or situation that was completed at some point in the past. It seems an unlikely situation - you have to ask if your father has (or had) a twin?
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:24
Michael Harvey
12.5k11330
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:24
Michael Harvey
12.5k11330
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:24
Michael Harvey
12.5k11330
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:24
Michael Harvey
12.5k11330
12.5k11330
Being twins does not require either twin to be alive, “had been” is thus inappropriate under all circumstances.
– jmoreno
Dec 29 '18 at 3:07
add a comment |
Being twins does not require either twin to be alive, “had been” is thus inappropriate under all circumstances.
– jmoreno
Dec 29 '18 at 3:07
Being twins does not require either twin to be alive, “had been” is thus inappropriate under all circumstances.
– jmoreno
Dec 29 '18 at 3:07
Being twins does not require either twin to be alive, “had been” is thus inappropriate under all circumstances.
– jmoreno
Dec 29 '18 at 3:07
add a comment |
I think that the topic is ambiguous. Suppose that "he" were twins with George, and "my father" were twins with Tom. You could answer "they both were twins." But the sentence doesn't have additional context asking if "he" and "my father" were the context of "twins".
Suppose that "he" and "my father" were part of triplets, and that brother is now dead. The person being asked should answer "no" to the twins discussion, right?
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:52
Jerome P Mrozak
101
New contributor
Jerome P Mrozak is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
I think that the topic is ambiguous. Suppose that "he" were twins with George, and "my father" were twins with Tom. You could answer "they both were twins." But the sentence doesn't have additional context asking if "he" and "my father" were the context of "twins".
Suppose that "he" and "my father" were part of triplets, and that brother is now dead. The person being asked should answer "no" to the twins discussion, right?
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:52
Jerome P Mrozak
101
New contributor
Jerome P Mrozak is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
I think that the topic is ambiguous. Suppose that "he" were twins with George, and "my father" were twins with Tom. You could answer "they both were twins." But the sentence doesn't have additional context asking if "he" and "my father" were the context of "twins".
Suppose that "he" and "my father" were part of triplets, and that brother is now dead. The person being asked should answer "no" to the twins discussion, right?
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:52
Jerome P Mrozak
101
New contributor
Jerome P Mrozak is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I think that the topic is ambiguous. Suppose that "he" were twins with George, and "my father" were twins with Tom. You could answer "they both were twins." But the sentence doesn't have additional context asking if "he" and "my father" were the context of "twins".
Suppose that "he" and "my father" were part of triplets, and that brother is now dead. The person being asked should answer "no" to the twins discussion, right?
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:52
Jerome P Mrozak
101
New contributor
Jerome P Mrozak is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:52
Jerome P Mrozak
101
New contributor
Jerome P Mrozak is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:52
Jerome P Mrozak
101
answered Dec 28 '18 at 16:52
Jerome P Mrozak
101
101
New contributor
Jerome P Mrozak is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Jerome P Mrozak is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Jerome P Mrozak is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
You can still use the "were" construction even if one (or indeed both) are dead. Family relationships aren't somehow cancelled.
It sounds clumsy and odd to say "King George VI had been George V's son", you'd just say that he was.
"Had been" implies something else afterwards, like "My uncle had been a Regimental Sergeant-Major for ten years before he was a florist".
answered Dec 28 '18 at 23:34
Bloke Down The Pub
1
add a comment |
You can still use the "were" construction even if one (or indeed both) are dead. Family relationships aren't somehow cancelled.
It sounds clumsy and odd to say "King George VI had been George V's son", you'd just say that he was.
"Had been" implies something else afterwards, like "My uncle had been a Regimental Sergeant-Major for ten years before he was a florist".
answered Dec 28 '18 at 23:34
Bloke Down The Pub
1
add a comment |
You can still use the "were" construction even if one (or indeed both) are dead. Family relationships aren't somehow cancelled.
It sounds clumsy and odd to say "King George VI had been George V's son", you'd just say that he was.
"Had been" implies something else afterwards, like "My uncle had been a Regimental Sergeant-Major for ten years before he was a florist".
answered Dec 28 '18 at 23:34
Bloke Down The Pub
1
You can still use the "were" construction even if one (or indeed both) are dead. Family relationships aren't somehow cancelled.
It sounds clumsy and odd to say "King George VI had been George V's son", you'd just say that he was.
"Had been" implies something else afterwards, like "My uncle had been a Regimental Sergeant-Major for ten years before he was a florist".
answered Dec 28 '18 at 23:34
Bloke Down The Pub
1
answered Dec 28 '18 at 23:34
Bloke Down The Pub
1
answered Dec 28 '18 at 23:34
Bloke Down The Pub
1
answered Dec 28 '18 at 23:34
Bloke Down The Pub
1
1
add a comment |
add a comment |
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The past perfect is hardly ever compulsory. Most times it is a stylistic choice, that sets the temporal viewpoint at a time in the past later than the events being referred to. If that viewpoint is already set, or is irrelevant, the simple past will do just as well.
– Colin Fine
Dec 28 '18 at 16:50