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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > Just curious about English grammar!
Just curious about English grammar!
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frenchfrog
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Just curious about English grammar!
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Today, I uploaded this very nice printable from Ana: http://www.eslprintables.com/printable.asp?id=120832. The whole document is about the opinions of 3 teenagers on smoking.
I started reading it and became intrigued by one sentence. The first teenager, Tony, says �I smoke since I was twelve�. I was surprised to read �I smoke since� �, I expected �I have been smoking since��. So my question is: How acceptable is �I smoke since��? Is it often heard? Is it �correct� or do you strongly advise the use of the present perfect? Just curious!
Frenchfrog |
21 Oct 2008
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Vickiii
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Hi Frenchfrog,
I think this must be a grammatical error. I would suggest any of the following:
I have been smoking since I was 12
I have smoked since I was 12
I started smoking when I was 12
I lit up for the first time when I was 12 (phrasal verb for you)
Just my opinion - oh goody - where is goodnesses - I haven�t seen a grammar conversation lately - will be good to see her opinion!
Vickiii
BTW - In no way is this discussion meant to hurt or offend the author of the above mentioned printable. It is purely a grammatical discussion that was inspired by the worksheet! Please contribute, without harranguing us for daring to mention an error in a worksheet. |
21 Oct 2008
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frenchfrog
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Well, I don�t know if Ana adapted the text or if she simply typed it as it was. If it really was �I smoke since ...� in the original document, I would like to have an explanation!!! Because this is not what I was taught in high school!! But if this sentence can be heard, maybe I will try to be more lenient towards my students!! I will continue to teach them the present perfect, though!
Frenchfrog
By the way, Vickiii, this is for you:  |
21 Oct 2008
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matteunsun
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For me, as an English teacher and a native English person "I smoke since..." is definitely not correct (sorry!). I wouldn�t be happy if any of my students said that... |
21 Oct 2008
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frenchfrog
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Yes!! This post is "purely a grammatical discussion", as you put it very clearly!!!
I hope Ana is going to answer! I really want to know if it was �I smoke since..." in the original document.
Frenchfrog |
21 Oct 2008
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Zora
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It�s definately an error - "since" can�t go ever with the Simple Present tense. It should be as Vicki said, it was probably a mistake (a mistype as I like to call them  ...) on the part of Ana and if it was taken literally from a document, I would say it was something overlooked when they printed it.
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21 Oct 2008
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frenchfrog
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Thanks for your reply matteunsun! This is not what I was taught either when I was in high school! And this is not what I am teaching now!
Frenchfrog |
21 Oct 2008
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frenchfrog
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Thanks for your reply, Zora! |
21 Oct 2008
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Zora
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No problem French frog, you know me... I am always up for a good discussion on grammar!
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21 Oct 2008
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frenchfrog
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I am really glad I had the opinions of 3 native speakers from three different English-speaking countries (UK, Canada, and New Zealand)!! Thanks again!
Frenchfrog |
21 Oct 2008
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Vickiii
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I think an explanation of the grammar behind the error is required - I often see this type of error in worksheets i download.
BTW - When I find such a fantastic resource - i am so grateful - the time it takes me to check the grammar is nothing compared to the time it takes the author to think of the concept and create the wonderful worksheet.
I am nearly always happy to check that it �sounds right� from a native point of view for people on request - just email...
Thanks frenchfrog - i have saved for future use! |
21 Oct 2008
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