Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Which is correct grammatically? Would you have liked to live in ancient Egypt


Which is correct grammatically? Would you have liked to live in ancient Egypt?
or Would you like to have lived in ancient Egypt? If they are both okay, is there a subtle difference in nuance, or do they mean the same thing?
Words & Wordplay - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Both are all right, though the second one flows easier when spoken. So I would say that the second one was (more) correct.
2 :
Would you like to have lived in ancient Egypt is much more correct
3 :
People will put it both ways with no difference in meaning. English is pretty loose in this area. When we write, though, we should make sense when we can, so it should be, "Would you like to have lived in ancient Egypt?" That's what you meanĂ¢€”does the idea of living in ancient Egypt appeal to you now? The other way is supposed to mean precisely the same, and when people say it they mean that, but when you analyze the words, it doesn't stand up. "Would you have liked" puts your liking in the past, and in that case it should be, "Would you have liked LIVING in ancient Egypt?" But, like I said, people often aren't that fussy in speech, and they do not mean to put the liking in the past.





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