Grammar Question - Democratic Underground

THUNDER HANDS

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Mon Dec-27-04 05:55 PM
Original message

Poll question: Grammar Question

I have two sentences that I'm unsure about which is the correct one grammatically. Can you choose the correct one?

(A)

I went to the bank today and almost petted a cardboard dog.

(B)

I went to the bank today and almost pet a cardboard dog.

Please help me, which is the correct one?

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newsguyatl

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Mon Dec-27-04 06:00 PM
Response to Original message

1. petted, past tense

Edited on Mon Dec-27-04 06:00 PM by newsguyatl

general rule of thumb, never change tenses within the same sentence.

i WENT to the bank today and almost PETTED a cardboard dog.

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Not_Giving_Up

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Mon Dec-27-04 06:02 PM
Response to Original message

2. Take out the bank

I almost petted a cardboard dog today

There's your answer

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Rowdyboy

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Mon Dec-27-04 06:05 PM
Response to Original message

3. My partner, a former HS English teacher say petted

and its not optional!

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tuvor

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Mon Dec-27-04 06:09 PM
Response to Reply #3

4. Are you saying that 'pet' is never considered as past tense?

It always must be 'petted'?

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Rowdyboy

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Mon Dec-27-04 06:44 PM
Response to Reply #4

6. According to Webster New World Dictionary

(printed in the mid-1960's) its only petted in the past tense. However, when speaking it aloud, it doesn't sound right.

Transitive verb: Petted, petting, to stroke or pat gently; fondle.

What were you doing fooling around with a cardboard bunny, anyway? How exactly did you want to "pet" the bunny? Have you ever "petted" cardboard bunnies before?

In other words...er...What's up, doc?

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Rowdyboy

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Mon Dec-27-04 07:49 PM
Response to Reply #6

7. Obviously, the "holiday spirit" got to me and I've started confusing

dogs with bunnies. Perhaps I've had enough. Perhaps not....

In the words of Emily Littela (Gilda Radner) "Never mind...."

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progressoid

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Mon Dec-27-04 06:16 PM
Response to Original message

5. I had went to the bank today and most petted me a cardboard dog.

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