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Ask for help > Which option is better?
Which option is better?
EwelinaEwelina
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Which option is better?
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Have you ever thought about taking part in a triathlon event? Well, I hadn�t but it happened anyway. A) I thought I would never be able to get through it. B) I never thought I would be able to get through it. C) I thought I would have never gotten through it. D) I thought I would have never been able to get through it. (Context: talking about an event that happened last year. ) Thank you for your help. Have a good day.
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8 Jun 2024
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L. habach
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Given the
context provided, the goal is to express a reflection on your doubts about
being able to complete a triathlon event that you ended up participating in.
Here’s an analysis of each option in relation to the context provided:
A) "I
thought I would never be able to get through it."
- This option is grammatically
correct. It effectively communicates that during the event or before it,
you doubted your ability to complete it. It’s a straightforward way to
reflect on your earlier doubts.
B) "I
never thought I would be able to get through it."
- This option is also
grammatically correct. It suggests a consistent disbelief in your ability
to complete the event, up until you proved yourself wrong by actually participating.
This option subtly implies a longer period of doubt.
C) "I
thought I would have never gotten through it."
- This option is awkward and less
clear. The use of the future perfect tense ("would have never
gotten") is not appropriate in this context. It tries to reflect on a
past perspective about a future outcome, which doesn�t fit well here.
D) "I
thought I would have never been able to get through it."
- Similar to option C, this
sentence is complex and grammatically awkward. The construction
"would have never been able" complicates the expression of doubt
and is not commonly used in this type of reflection.
Given these
analyses, A) "I thought I would never be able to get through it."
and B) "I never thought I would be able to get through it."
are the correct options. They both clearly and effectively convey the sense of
doubt about completing the triathlon.
Which to
choose between A and B depends on the nuance you want:
- A suggests a specific moment or
period where you doubted your ability.
- B suggests a more ongoing,
persistent doubt over time.
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8 Jun 2024
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cunliffe
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I�m a bit late to the fray! Great analysis by L. habach, which I don�t think I could have done. As a native speaker, I would go for b. B is the best one. |
17 Jun 2024
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Ykisoa
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Until you participated and proved yourself incorrect, it implies that you consistently doubted your capacity to finish the event. run 3
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18 Jun 2024
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EwelinaEwelina
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@ cunliffe @Ykisoa Thank you so much for your help. |
20 Jun 2024
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farah2011
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I don�t think it is a matter of whether one option is better than another because they are all gramatically correct. Every option cannot be replaced by another because they depend on the context in which they are used. |
24 Jun 2024
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bandgift
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I believe the answer is A. I truly want to be the most correct of the remaining replies. coreball
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27 Jun 2024
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russian22
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All are grammatically correct, however I�dsay b) is more idiomatic. It�s a matter of subtle nuances.
Regards, |
5 Jul 2024
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ummerundying
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Every choice depends on the situation in which they are used hence they cannot be substituted by another.
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24 Jul 2024
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