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 #2 (permalink) Mon Jan 30, 2012 17:48 pm Are these sentences natural? Jan 30 |
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1- no, Tensing is wrong. They had better be doing that [present], because if they failed [past] we would all be in trouble [conditional].
And 'taking something seriously' is more natural than 'doing something seriously'.
They had better have taken that seriously, because if they failed we're all in trouble. or
They had better be taking that seriously, because if they fail we're all going to be in trouble. etc.
2. - basically ok. I don't think you need the 'in', either nothing or maybe 'of'...
3. - again a tense problem. they should be doing [present] the horizontal instead of the vertical they have taken [past].
They should have taken a horizontal measurement instead of a vertical one. or
They should be taking a horizontal measurement instead of a vertical one.
Well, That's what I think anyway. |
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 Thredder
I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 26 Sep 2010
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| #3 (permalink) Wed Feb 01, 2012 14:00 pm Are these sentences natural? Jan 30 |
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Thanks Thredder.
| Quote: |
| 1- no, Tensing is wrong. They had better be doing that [present], because if they failed [past] we would all be in trouble [conditional]. |
I think the whole clause is conditional and I meant it that way. |
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Musicgold
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| #4 (permalink) Wed Feb 01, 2012 20:11 pm Are these sentences natural? Jan 30 |
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They had better be taking that seriously, because if they fail we will all be in trouble.
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Beeesneees
Language Coach
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| #5 (permalink) Tue Feb 07, 2012 13:51 pm Are these sentences natural? Jan 30 |
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| Beeesneees wrote: |
| They had better be taking that seriously, because if they fail we will all be in trouble. |
Maybe a little bit of context will help here. We were looking at a brand new train ordered by my city. The new train is supposed to be a better design. That was when I said #1. Would your suggestion still make sense.
Thank you. |
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Musicgold
I'm here quite often ;-)
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| #6 (permalink) Tue Feb 07, 2012 21:28 pm Are these sentences natural? Jan 30 |
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The suggestion would still make sense, but may not be what you meant.
What were you referring to when you used 'that'?
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Beeesneees
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| correct sentence | interests, likes, activities, pursuits, pastimes, avocations, recreation or hobbi |
